Career timeline

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Early career: Trial lawyer

  • 1940. Topped the CPA Board Examination, with a grade of 91.18 percent.
  • 1944. Topped the Bar Examinations, with a grade of 95.3 percent.
  • 1954. Chairman, CPA Board Exam Investigating Committee, created by President Ramon Magsaysay
  • 1958. Member, Special Committee to Investigate Department of Finance Anomalies.
  • 1960. Member, Special Committee to Investigate Bureau of Supply Coordination Anomalies

2 January 1962 - 19 May 1962: Secretary of Justice

  • Investigated and prosecuted Harry Stonehill for tax evasion and other crimes
  • Fired by President Diosdado Macapagal

1963 -1972: Senator

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  • Oil Industry Commission Bill
  • Investments Incentives Act
  • Export Incentives Act
  • Revised Election Law
  • Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, which was passed unanimously to curb racial discrimination in American companies operating in the Philippines, but vetoed
  • 1964. Delegate, International Commission of Jurists, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • 1965. Delegate, lnterparliamentary Union Conference, Ottawa, Canada
  • 1965. Delegate, United Nations General Assembly

23 September 1972 - 11 September 1974: Political Prisoner.

  • Arrested on 23 September 1972, at his home at 12 Margarita Street, Magallanes Village, Makati, Metro Manila
  • Detained at the Maximum Security Compound, Fort Bonifacio, Makati, upon an Arrest, Search and Seizure Order (AS SO)
  • Kept under solitary confinement at Laur, Nueva Ecija from 12 March to 11 April 1973
  • Never charged nor tried
  • Conditionally released on 11 September 1974

1974 - 1987: Human Rights Lawyer, Patriot and Nationalist

  • Founded and led the FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP or FLAG (1974-1987), an association of lawyers from all over the Philippines who render their services, free of charge, to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights in society
  • Chair, Civil Liberties Union (1975-1982)
  • Secretary General, Regional Council on Human Rights in Asia, with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (1983-1987)
  • Secretary General, Anti Bases Coalition (1981-1987)
  • Convenor, Justice for Aquino, Justice for All or JAJA (1983)
  • Member, Convenor Group that projected Corazon Aquino as presidential candidate (1984-1986)

1986, Chair, Presidential Committee on Human Rights

  • Resigned on 23 Januarv 1987, in protest of the massacre of farmers at Mendiola
  • Principal Government Negotiator in Peace Talks with the National Democratic Front