Ramon Diokno

Ramón Diokno y Marasigan (March 28, 1886 – April 21, 1954) was a Filipino statesman, jurist, Associate Justice, and one of the foremost nationalists of his generation. He fought the American Parity Rights Amendment and was one of four senators to be ousted so that the amendment may be ratified. He later became Associate Justice under Ramon Magsaysay but had the shortest term when he died two months and eleven days later. Diokno is known as the very first Government Corporate Counsel (Office of the GCC) in history from 1935 to December 1941 when the war began. Justice Diokno is famous for writing the ponencia in the Resolution for the In Re: Albino Cunanan, et al.

Early life and education Diokno was born in Taal, Batangas on March 28, 1886, as the only son to Ananías Diokno, head of the Visayan forces during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War, and Paulina Marasigan. Diokno had four half-siblings from his father's second wife Emilia Rivera. Diokno's ancestor was the governor-general Felix Berenguer de Marquina, the namesake of Marikina City. Diokno received his primary instruction in Taal and continued his studies in a private school in Manila under Felipe Buencamino Sr. and in Colegio de San Antonio de Padua under Supreme Court Justice Ignacio Villamor.

He was also corporate counsel for the Philippine National Bank, Manila Railroad Company, Manila Hotel Company, National Loan and Investment Board, Metropolitan Water District, National Development Company, Cebu Portland Cement Company, and National Produce Exchange. The solicitor-general Lorenzo Tañada remarked how astonished he was at the photographic memory of the father and son duo during trial.

Public servant Diokno won the special election for city councilor in the Northern District of Batangas in 1918 and in 1933. In the September 17, 1935 Commonwealth Election, he was the chief campaign manager of Manuel L. Quezon and was appointed as the inaugural Corporate Counsel in 1935. He became a senator in 1946 which involved a battle in court against the Commission on Elections not counting certain ballots, represented by his son José. Ramón Diokno Highway in Lemery, Batangas is named after him.

Personal life and descendants Diokno met his first wife Martha Fello and had over ten children. After her death, he married Leonor Garcia Wright from Pandacan. His son is former Senator José Wright Diokno, the father of human rights and founder of the largest human rights firm called the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). Diokno is the grandfather of Atty. Jose Manuel Tadeo I. "Chel" Diokno, the founding dean of the De La Salle University (DLSU) Tañada-Diokno School of Law. Diokno raised his children to speak Spanish at home, out of nationalism and wariness of the Americans, yet educated them with private English tutors and sent them to prestigious American-run schools such as DLSU near Ermita, where they resided. José described his father as calm, one with silent humor, religious and devout, and wise. Diokno moved his residence to 125 Aguado St., San Miguel, Manila, which was closer to Malacañang Palace, upon becoming senator.

Ancestry