For nearly three decades, he had dazzled the august chamber with legal mastery and a firm grasp of the issues before it. When he retired from politics in 2022, his presence was deeply felt and missed in the Senate. 

As the nation grapples with earthshaking scandals and recurring controversies, many Filipinos find themselves longing for the days when he brought light, clarity, and rigor to public hearings. He asked the difficult questions — regardless of whose toes he might step on or whose ego might be bruised — and pursued answers with discipline and patience.

His brilliance and confidence in tackling issues head-on could be intimidating, but also reassured everyone in the room: however uncooperative or evasive the resource persons might be, he would press until the truth came into view.

Franklin Magtunao Drilon did not come from a political dynasty. He was the eldest child of the late lawyer Cesar Drilon and the late Primitiva Magtunao. He learned early the value of education and absorbed the virtues his parents insisted upon: honesty, integrity, hard work, and love of God. He has often said that his father, who inspired him to study law, was the most influential figure in his life.

An outstanding graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, Drilon placed third in the 1969 Bar examinations and had worked for the country’s top law firms.

Service across administrations

In 1986, after the People Power toppled the decades-long Marcos dictatorship, Drilon left a private lucrative career to serve as labor secretary.

The post was not for the faint of heart. Drawing from years of legal practice in labor disputes, Drilon pursued industrial peace to encourage investment and generate employment while emphasizing humane working conditions and fair wages for workers. Guided by a strong sense of fairness, he trod a careful path between the demands of management and labor.  

In January 1990, the late former president Corazon Aquino appointed him secretary of justice. Though his stint at the Department of Justice was brief, he dismantled the “bata-bata” patronage system and institutionalized the recruitment of prosecutors through examinations rather than political endorsements. Under his watch, halls of justice were built, and court facilities were improved across the country.

Before the Aquino administration ended, he served as executive secretary and helped ensure an orderly and peaceful transition to the next administration. 

Public service did not end with the close of the Aquino presidency. The late former president Fidel V. Ramos appointed him secretary of justice. Drilon continued the reforms he had begun and emphasized the rule of law as a cornerstone of governance. Among the reforms he instituted was the implementation of the Witness Protection Program.

He repeatedly stressed that the successful prosecution of high-profile crimes was necessary to restore public trust in the justice system. Under his watch, perpetrators of widely publicized crimes were prosecuted and jailed.

Entry to the Senate

In 1995, he vied for a Senate seat. His slogan, “Kontra sa Krimen, Justice Agad,” resonated with voters, and he placed fourth in the senatorial race.

It was a remarkable feat, yet it came with deep personal loss. The joy of victory was shadowed by the death of his father shortly before the elections, and the passing of his first wife, Violy, only months after he assumed office.

Drawing strength from the encouragement and support of his family, Drilon refused to be consumed by grief, choosing to honor those he had lost by giving his best in his new government role.

Midway through his first term, he became Senate majority leader, a position that showcased his leadership and work ethic. His brilliance and diligence earned respect across the aisle.  

In April 2000, Drilon was elected Senate president. He was again elected Senate president in the 12th, 13th, and 16th Congresses.

Recognizing his principled leadership and contribution to nation-building, the electorate rewarded him in 2016 with the highest number of votes in the senatorial race — an affirmation of public admiration and respect.

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Advocacies

Drilon views education as a powerful equalizer.

In partnership with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., he devoted a significant portion of his Priority Development Assistance Fund to the construction of more than a thousand school buildings at roughly half the cost. Beyond legislative work, he has also supported the education of bright and promising — but financially challenged — students in his personal capacity.

Drilon is widely recognized as a key force behind Iloilo’s transformation from a province of waning economic appeal into an increasingly attractive tourism and investment destination within a few years. Among his initiatives were the cleanup and rehabilitation of the Iloilo River, the construction of the Esplanade along its banks, the Iloilo Convention Center, the Iloilo International Airport, and the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II. 

Consistent with his character, however, he is not quick to claim credit for Iloilo’s giant strides. He emphasizes partnership, collective effort, and continuity, recognizing that enduring development is sustained not by one person but by institutions and communities that choose progress.

Over decades of service, Drilon has received numerous awards and citations, including the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by Emperor Akihito, with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The distinction is among the highest honors bestowed by the Japanese government.

Franklin Drilon’s journey in politics was not teeming only with triumphs. He faced spirit-breaking challenges and endured detractors who tried to drag his name into controversies. He persisted even as some quarters hurled the arrows of disinformation. Yet, by adhering firmly to transparency and accountability, he emerged with no stain of corruption attached to his name.

Today, Frank Drilon lives a private and quiet life with his wife, Mila, and their children and grandchildren. 

Through his memoir, Being Frank, which will be launched at the Manila Polo Club on Monday, February 9, Filipinos will have a closer look at the extraordinary life and work of the gentleman from Iloilo. – Rappler.com

Irah Borinaga has worked with former senator Franklin Drilon for two decades. She has also published four literary books.