Franklin Drilon
Franklin Magtunao Drilon (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈdɾilɔn]; born November 28, 1945) is a Filipino lawyer and former politician. He had the longest tenure in the Senate of the Philippines (tied with Lorenzo Tañada and Tito Sotto), having served four non-consecutive terms overall: from 1995 to 2007 and 2010 to 2022. He has served thrice as president of the Senate: in 2000, from 2001 to 2006, and from 2013 to 2016.
The Honorable Franklin M. Drilon | |
|---|---|
Drilon in 2018 | |
| 18th President of the Senate of the Philippines | |
| In office July 22, 2013 – June 30, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Jinggoy Estrada (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Aquilino Pimentel III |
| In office July 23, 2001 – July 24, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Aquilino Pimentel Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Manny Villar |
| In office July 12, 2000 – November 13, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Blas Ople |
| Succeeded by | Aquilino Pimentel Jr. |
| President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines | |
| In office July 25, 2016 – February 27, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph Recto |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Recto |
| Senate Majority Leader | |
| In office January 26, 1998 – July 12, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Francisco Tatad |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Tatad |
| Senate Minority Leader | |
| In office February 28, 2017 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph Recto |
| Succeeded by | Koko Pimentel |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2022 | |
| In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2007 | |
| Chair of the Philippine Senate Finance Committee | |
| In office July 26, 2010 – July 22, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Edgardo Angara |
| Succeeded by | Francis Escudero |
| 25th Executive Secretary of the Philippines | |
| In office July 15, 1991 – June 30, 1992 | |
| President | Corazon Aquino |
| Preceded by | Oscar Orbos |
| Succeeded by | Peter Garuccho |
| 45th and 47th Secretary of Justice | |
| In office July 1, 1992 – February 2, 1995 | |
| President | Fidel V. Ramos |
| Preceded by | Silvestre Bello III |
| Succeeded by | Demetrio G. Demetria |
| In office January 4, 1990 – July 14, 1991 | |
| President | Corazon Aquino |
| Preceded by | Sedfrey A. Ordoñez |
| Succeeded by | Silvestre Bello III |
| Secretary of Labor and Employment | |
| In office January 5, 1987 – January 2, 1990 | |
| President | Corazon Aquino |
| Preceded by | Augusto A. Sanchez |
| Succeeded by | Dionisio C. dela Serna |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Franklin Magtunao Drilon November 28, 1945 Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippine Commonwealth |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Liberal (2003–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (2000–2003) LAMMP (1998–2000) Lakas–NUCD (1995–1998) UNIDO (1987–1995) |
| Spouse(s) | Violeta Calvo (died) Mila Serrano-Genuino |
| Children | Eliza Drilon Patrick Drilon |
| Residence(s) | Iloilo City, Iloilo San Juan, Metro Manila |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman (BA, LL.B.) |
| Occupation | Lawyer, Politician |
Having also served as Senate president pro tempore, Senate Majority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader, he is the only senator to have held all four of the Senate's major leadership positions. A member of the Liberal Party since 2003, he has previously led the party as president, chairman, and vice-chairman.
He also served as Secretary of Labor and Employment, Secretary of Justice, and Executive Secretary in the administration of President Corazon Aquino. He became Secretary of Justice again during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos.
Drilon was born and raised in Iloilo City and studied law at the University of the Philippines. He placed third in the 1969 Bar Exams and worked as a private practice lawyer before joining the government.