Rene Saguisag

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Verceluz and the surname or paternal family name is Saguisag.

Senator of the Philippines
In office
August 15, 1987 – June 30, 1992
Presidential Spokesperson
In office
February 25, 1986 – March 8, 1987
PresidentCorazon Aquino
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byAdolfo Azcuna[a]
Personal details
Born
Rene Augusto Verceluz Saguisag

(1939-08-14)August 14, 1939
Tayabas, Commonwealth of the Philippines
DiedApril 24, 2024(2024-04-24) (aged 84)
Political partyLiberal (1987-2024)
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1970; died 2007)​
Children5
Residence(s)Palanan, Makati
Alma materSan Beda (BA, LL.B.)
University of the East (no degree)
Harvard University (LL.M.)
OccupationLawyer
Writer
ProfessionLawyer

Rene Augusto Verceluz Saguisag (/sɑːɡɪsɑːɡ/ August 14, 1939 – April 24, 2024) was a Filipino lawyer and politician. He served as a Senator from 1987 until 1992.[1][2][3]

Early life

Rene A.V. Saguisag was born on August 14, 1939, in

K-12 program is inconsequential for the Philippine education system.[2][7] He developed a strong interest in Chess, and skipped class at the expense of his teachers, who promoted corporal punishment, even if he was a consistent honor student.[7]

Saguisag's graduation photo

Saguisag went on to graduate with a

Joe McMicking, who developed the city of Makati on behalf of Ayala Corporation.[8] Saguisag then started out his Philippine career as a student researcher, then associate, and eventually part-time member of Ledesma, Guytingco, Velasco and Saguisag from 1962 to 1972.[9] He became a member of the San Beda Law Faculty (Assistant Dean 1971–1972) from 1961 to 1972, and eventually returned to teach Political law and other related subjects after martial law.[2]

Martial Law

Young Rene A.V. Saguisag

Rene A.V. Saguisag then practiced

former Sen. Lorenzo M. Tañada.[3] One of the FLAG cases Saguisag handled was to prosecute the Manero brothers who killed Fr. Tullio Favali.[7]

Later, some FLAG lawyers including Saguisag and other prominent human rights jurists started the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism, Inc. or MABINI in 1980 with former Senator Tañada, future Senator Joker Arroyo, future Labor Secretary Augusto "Bobbit" Sanchez, and others.[10] Their cases became landmark Supreme Court decisions, including Olaguer v. Military Commission No. 34, 150 SCRA 144 (1987).[11]

Presidential Spokesperson

Cory Aquino

After the

1986 EDSA Revolution, he served as a spokesman for then-President-elect Corazon Aquino or "Cory" beginning on January 22, 1986. According to Saguisag, Pres. Cory Aquino would often groom him to run for the senate, and eventually teased him to become her successor. Eventually Saguisag decided to run for senator in the first constitutional election held in 1987.[2][7]

Philippine Senate

Saguisag wins the Senate

Saguisag ran for the Senate of the Philippines under the Liberal Party in 1987,[2] promising during the campaign that he would only run for one term.[1] He won the election, placing ninth out of twenty-four winning positions. He stayed in the Senate until the end of his promised one term, in 1992.[2]

As a senator, Saguisag served as Chairman of the Committee on

Privileges.[4] He also served on the "ad hoc" committee on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.[2]

Saguisag was the co-author with his uncle, Jovito Salonga of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713), the main author of the Ombudsman Act of 1989 (R.A. 6770), and was one of the 12 senators who voted against the extension of the U.S. military bases treaty in 1991.[1]

Saguisag was one of only two Filipino senators who attended all 415 session days from July 1987 to June 1990, with the other being

showbusiness, thus prompting more actors and entertainers to become senators.[7]

Post-Senate career

Saguisag looking onward

Following his departure from the Senate, right after the Philippine Centennial Celebration, Saguisag was appointed by Joseph Estrada to head the Ad Hoc and Independent Citizens' Committee (AHICC) with members Atty. Francis Pangilinan, Engr. Fiorello Estuar, USec. Antonio M. Llorente, and Corazon dela Paz. AHICC was created by President Estrada on February 24, 1999, through Administrative Order No. 53 to investigate if there were irregularities that transpired during the preparations and celebrations of the Philippine Centennial Anniversary. AHICC found that the bidding for certain centennial projects had been rigged, that certain documents used in the bidding had been falsified, and that certain signatures on documents were forged.[13]

Saguisag became one of the leading

defense lawyers in the corruption trial of former President Estrada.[4] At this point Saguisag's law firm, the Rene A.V. Saguisag Law Office became a prominent law firm, and many prominent lawyers worked under Saguisag such as former Napocor President Cyril del Callar.[14] Saguisag remained focused on his law firm and on teaching human rights and the rule of law. He continued to make appearances and discuss the political situation in news shows and articles.[15]

Later activities

Saguisag in a press conference at a prestigious Manila Restaurant

Atty. Saguisag was a columnist for the

Anti-Terror Law of 2020 and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) treaty under President Benigno Aquino III. Saguisag has not been shy of criticizing any politician including Cory Aquino's son Pres. Aquino III due to Saguisag's argument that EDCA is a formal treaty that needs Senate ratification, and not a shallow agreement that the president can make binding by his word of mouth as signature to an agreement.[16]

Saguisag also wrote some popular books, including Saguisag Wit - 1 and Saguisag Wit - 2. In the books he discussed about his life lessons, and his opinion on the people he worked with, including his friend, the late senator Joker Arroyo.[17][18] Saguisag still frequently made appearances to give his review and criticism of the modern administrations, including their policies such as the War on Drugs of ex-Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, and the disinformation spread by the political dynasty of Imelda Marcos, the wife of former dictator Marcos. The disinformation campaign has been used to promote fabricated lies and boost the appeal of the Bongbong Marcos administration.[19][20] An instance of Saguisag's commentary was when he critiqued the burial of Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, and stated that the Supreme Court's decision to allow the burial since there are no laws disallowing it was absurd. He stated that Marcos's name may also be engraved at the Martial law memorial, the Bantayog ng mga Bayani if common sense is removed from the minds of the judges.[21][22]

Personal life

Rene A.V. Saguisag married Dulce M. Quintans, who was a former Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development under President Joseph Estrada, in Manila on December 27, 1970. They first met in 1968 during his days at Harvard University. Rene eventually proposed saying, "I am poor. I come from a very poor family. I have no money, and I have no belongings, so I don’t want to marry a rich girl. So tell me now, are you rich?" She replied no, to which Rene proposed and then told Mrs. Quintans, his eventual mother-in-law, that he promised to love and care for her daughter for the rest of his life. Dulce, however came from a notable political family, being a descendant of Senator Daniel Maramba, who was also the governor of Pangasinan. The couple then had five children, Rene Andrei Jr. or Rebo, Nonoy, Lara, Laurence, and Kaissa.[23] Rene's grandchildren include Rene III who is about 70 years younger.[7]

Photo of Rene and Dulce Saguisag (left) in the 1960s

On November 8, 2007, Saguisag was seriously injured in a

van on their way home to Palanan from one of their usual late-night ballroom dancing sessions at Byke's Cafe along Chino Roces Avenue when a speeding dump truck, running a red light, accidentally struck their vehicle in the middle of the highway. They were rushed to Ospital ng Makati 2 in Bel-Air, where they received initial treatment. He was later transferred to Ospital ng Makati in Pembo for further care.[24][25] He sustained head and chest injuries with seven fractured ribs, while his driver was injured and Dulce's life was taken.[26] The funeral was held at St. Scholastica's College by Benedictine priests, including Saguisag's cousin Dom Benildus Maramba.[4]

Saguisag was left in

intensive-care unit without being informed of his wife's passing by friend Joker Arroyo, and was released from the hospital on December 8, 2007.[28]

Rene and Dulce's youngest daughter, Kaissa Saguisag is a

Antonio Parlade.[33] Though he did not vote for former President Joseph Estrada, implying he was a substandard president, his wife Dulce worked for Estrada, and Saguisag, like many was completely aghast at the Second EDSA Revolution because it stood against constitutional procedures and devolved into a mob rule.[34]
In terms of personal beliefs, Saguisag always maintained a strong faith as a practicing Catholic.

Death

Saguisag died on April 24, 2024, at the age of 84. He had made his final public appearance on April 9 (Day of Valor) at a ceremony at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City.[35]

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ Office vacant between March 1987 to June 1989.

References

  1. ^ a b c Lustre, Philip M. Jr. (April 21, 2019). "The Last Good Senator: Rene Saguisag". ABS CBN News and Public Affairs. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Rene Saguisag". Senate of the Philippines. Senate of the Philippines. Archived from the original on July 8, 2003. Retrieved November 27, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c "Long Reads: What I've Learned -- Rene Saguisag". Esquire Magazine Philippines. November 28, 2016 [2015]. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "Saguisag wife killed in road mishap". Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 8, 2007. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
  5. ^ "Antonio V. Saguisag Jr". May 10, 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  6. ^ Saguisag, Rene A.V. (June 22, 2018). "Tragedy of errors; remembering heroes". Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  7. ^
    YouTube
  8. ^ "Makati Av to Mcmicking Av? Ayungin and Big Fish". April 3, 2014. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Saguisag Wit-2". June 24, 2019. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  10. ^ "Joker P. Arroyo Jr". Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  11. ^ "G.R. No. L-54558". May 22, 1987. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  12. ^ "Ernesto M. Maceda". Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  13. ^ "Saguisag Wit-2". Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  14. ^ Sy, Marvin (September 20, 2008). "Napocor chief resigns". Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  15. ^ "Case Digest: Saguisag vs Ochoa Jr". June 26, 2020. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  16. ^ Avendaño, Christine O. (May 27, 2014). "Edca challenged in Supreme Court". Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  17. ^ "Saguisag Wit - 1". September 2017.
  18. ^ "Saguisag-Wit 2".
  19. ^ Cabato, Regine (November 22, 2016). "Former senator: Duterte to blame for Marcos burial". Archived from the original on November 22, 2016.
  20. ^ Saguisag, Rene. "Another dictatorship?". Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  21. ^ Saguisag, Rene. "Another Dictatorship?". Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  22. YouTube
  23. ^ Ramirez, Joanne Rae M. (November 18, 2007). "'Please take care of my children'". Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  24. ^ "Dulce Saguisag patay sa aksidente; Rene, kritikal". GMA News (in Filipino). November 8, 2007. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  25. ^ "Docs say Saguisag has 'severe' injuries, may need surgery". GMA News. November 9, 2007. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  26. ^ Punongbayan, Michael (November 9, 2007). "Saguisag injured, wife killed in Makati mishap". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Jerome Aning, DJ Yap (November 10, 2007). "Rene Saguisag recovering". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2007.
  28. ^ Inquirer.net, Ex-senator Saguisag leaves hospital Archived 2008-01-25 at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ Inquirer.net, Knee injury ends gymnast Saguisag’s quest for SEAG gold Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ "Role in UAAP boosted bid for Makati city council, says Rebo Saguisag". ABS-CBN News. May 22, 2019. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  31. ^ "Hon. Rene Andrei Q. Saguisag Jr". Makati Web Portal. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  32. ^ Saguisag, Rene (September 28, 2014). "Sept. 21 a lie; a tale of 3 Mrs. Saguisags". Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  33. ^ "'Di nakakatuwa! Tag team of Jojo Binay, Rene Saguisag want Parlade axed for red tagging". February 8, 2021. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  34. YouTube
  35. ^ "Former senator Rene Saguisag dies at 84". Rappler. April 24, 2024. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  36. ^ Doyo, Ma. Ceres (April 12, 2024). "The living 'walls' of Bantayog". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  37. ^ Ocampo, Satur (April 12, 2024). "Bantayog ng mga Bayani honors 13 'pillars'". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.

External links

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