Franklin M. Drilon
Senator Franklin M. Drilon's humble beginnings began in Molo, Iloilo with his early education in the public school system where he graduated from the Baluarte Elementary School in 1957 and High School at UP Iloilo College in 1961. He finished his Bachelor of Arts in 1965 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman then went on to pursue his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1969. On the same year he took the bar and passed with flying colors – third place.
He joined the Sycip, Salazar, Luna, Manalo and Feliciano Law Offices immediately after passing the bar. In 1974, he started his career with one of the premiere law firms of the country – Angara, Abello, Concepcion, Regala and Cruz Law Offices whre he he was Senior Associate and eventually elected as its Managing Partner in 1986.
The significant year of 1986 where we gained back our democracy saw Senator Franklin M. Drilon start his career in government. He was appointed Deputy Minister for Industrial Relations of then Ministry of Labor from 1986 – 1987. Thereafter, he assumed the post of Secretary of Labor till January of 1990.His expertise in industrial relations and his past achievements in the private sector and as Labor Secretary became a big plus when he was appointed Secretary of Justice in 1990 and subsequently, Executive Secretary of the Cabinet of President Corazon C. Aquino in 1991.
In July 1992, he was again appointed as Secretary of Justice. During his tenure, he had instituted a monitoring system in the Justice Department where he effectively monitored the over 250,000 cases filed in various Prosecution Offices all over the country.
Senator Franklin M. Drilon's exemplary career in government earned him the distinction of having been appointed to several Cabinet posts under two Administrations. His previous government positions also included assuming positions of leadership in nineteen (19) other government agencies and institutions.
To Senator Frank M. Drilon's credit is the privilege of being the first among the newly elected solons of the 10th Congress to file his Senate bills. He brings with him into the Upper Chamber his deep-rooted crusade for "Justice Agad" which he had activated as Secretary of Justice. His initial batch of Senate Bills all propositioned improvements into our criminal justice system.
Even before the formal inauguration of the 10th Congress, Senator Franklin M. Drilon had likewise introduced legislation through various other Senate Bills he had earlier also filed, on the improvement of our economy and the electoral process through proposed amendments to the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 and the Omnibus Election Code.
The dynamism of Senator Franklin M. Drilon continues as he contributes this time to the Legislature his well honed skills from both the Judiciary and the Executive Department as well as the private sector. He was Chairman and Member of various Senate Committees and Senate Majority Leader (1988 – 2000).
He is married to Mila Serrano Genuino. He had two children, Eliza and Patrick, with his first wife, the late Atty. Violeta Calvo Drilon.
Senate Presidents
Manuel L. Quezon
Manuel A. Roxas
Jose D. Avelino
Mariano Jesus L. Cuenco
Quintin B. Paredes
Camilo O. Osias
(1952 & 1953)
Eulogio A. Rodriguez, Sr.
Jose C. Zulueta
Ferdinand E. Marcos
Arturo M. Tolentino
Gil J. Puyat
Jovito R. Salonga
Neptali A. Gonzales
(1992-93, 95-96, 98)
Edgardo J. Angara
Ernesto M. Maceda
Marcelo B. Fernan
Blas F. Ople
Aquilino Q.Pimentel, Jr.
(2000, 2001-2006)
Manny Villar
Juan Ponce Enrile
Aquilino "Koko" L. Pimentel III
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