Chel Diokno files COC for senator in Eleksyon 2022

Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno on Thursday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator in the 2022 elections.

Before filing his COC, Diokno took his oath as member of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP). 

“Nakahanap ako ng partido ng mga katulad ko, na kapareho ko ng prinsipyo at pinaniniwalaan (I have found a party that is aligned with my beliefs and principles),” he said.

Diokno said KANP reflects his advocacies which are: Maka-Pilipinong pamumuno (pro-Filipino leadership), makabago at maparaang paglilingkod (innovative service), and pagkilala sa lakas ng kabataan (recognizing the power of the youth).

Facing the media after his COC filing, Diokno made reference to his campaign motto “May ngipin ang batas” in introducing his advocacy.

“Pero siguro marami sa inyo nakakakilala sa akin yung aking ngipin… kasi tuwing pinag-uusapan natin ang issue ng bayan, pinupuna nila ang ngipin ko. Pero ‘di ba dapat pag-usapan din nila ang ang malaking bungi at bulok na sistema natin?” he asked.

The public, particularly social media users, have been jeering at Diokno’s physical appearance after President Rodrigo Duterte poked fun at his teeth in some of his public addresses.

Diokno said all sectors have worked together in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic except for one.

“Alam niyo may isang sektor na tila pumalya. May isang sektor na nabubulok sa korapsyon. Isang sektor na nabubulok sa pang-aapi. Binubusog nila ang sarili nila sa pera at sa kapangyarihan ng bayan. Palagay ko tama na yan e, sobra na yan,” Diokno said apparently referring to the government.

(There is one sector that seemed to have failed in responding to the pandemic. There is one sector that is rotting because of corruption. There is one sector that is rotting because of abuses. They are filling their stomachs with money and power. I think that should stop. That’s enough.)

If elected to the Senate, Diokno vowed to strengthen the arbitration, mediation and barangay justice system in the country.

“Kung ako ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na magsilbi bilang isang senador gagawin nating abot kamay ang hustisya. Palalakasin natin ang mga alternatibo sa paglilitis ng kaso sa korte,” he said.

(If I would be given a chance to serve as a senator, we will make sure that justice is accessible. We will strengthen the alternatives to court proceedings.)

“Sisiguraduhin na may pananagutan (We will make sure that there’s accountability) because it is my firm belief that it is the certainty of punishment that stops crime. ‘Di tayo papayag na gagamitin ang batas para mang-api sa mga Pilipino (We will not allow the law to be used against Filipinos),” he added.

Diokno announced on September 15 that he would join the senatorial race again after his 2019 loss under the opposition slate Otso Diretso. 

Diokno and incumbent Senator Risa Hontiveros were recently listed as Liberal Party’s guest senatorial candidates for the 2022 elections.

Diokno is the founding dean of De La Salle College of Law and the chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), a nationwide human rights lawyers organization that is advocating against political repression, military and police abuses, and extra-judicial killings, among others. —KBK/VBL, GMA News