Atty. Chel Diokno

REPRESENTATIVE Chel Diokno is a legislator, lawyer, human rights defender, and educator. Many of you may know him from social media, where he engages millions of Filipinos— especially the youth—who proudly call themselves “CHELdren”.

In the 2025 elections, he served as first nominee of Akbayan Partylist, which topped the party-list race with over 2.7 million votes.

In Congress, he has spearheaded measures that directly benefit ordinary Filipinos, especially students. He fought for the highest education budget in history, authored the Baon Bill to increase student allowances, and advanced the Students’ Rights and Welfare Act and the Interns’ Rights and Welfare Bill. He has also championed key reforms such as the Anti Political Dynasty Act and the Party-List System Reform Act.

Before entering public office, he practiced law for 36 years, representing farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous communities, workers, journalists, students, and other victims of injustice.He argued cases before the Supreme Court and helped secure landmark rulings on freedom of speech, due process, and other fundamental rights.

He also served as a law professor for 19 years and was the founding dean of the De La Salle University Tañada-Diokno College of Law, where he helped place human rights and legal aid at the center of legal education.

Following in the footsteps of his father, the late Senator Jose W. Diokno, he continues to work toward a Philippines grounded in freedom, justice, and dignity for all.