BICOLKNOWN

Joker Paz Arroyo is a Filipino lawyer, politician and Senator of the Republic of the Philippines. He has no direct relation with current Presidential spouse Jose Miguel Arroyo. Joker was born on January 05, 1927 in Naga, Camarines Sur but Joker also lived with his brother, Nonito at Baao, Camarines Sur. His name "Joker" derives from his father's fondness for card playing. His brother is called Jack.

He completed his elementary education at the Naga Elementary School in Naga, Camarines Sur and secondary education at the Camarines Sur High School also in Naga. He gained a scholarship at the University of the Philippines and obtained the title Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws. He also obtained his AAPL at the Ateneo de Manila University. He started his professional career as lawyer in 1953. Most of his clients belong to the middle class and low income families.

On September 23, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos declared Proclamation 1081, placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law. Arroyo was the very first lawyer to challenge the act before the Supreme Court and questioned its legality under the 1935 Philippine Constitution. He and other lawyers joined in questioning other Marcos' acts before the Supreme Court:

1) the ratification of the Marcos-dictated 1973 Constitution;

2) amendment Six that empowered President Marcos to exercise law making powers alongside the Batasang Pambansa;

3) the power of military tribunals to try civilians. Arroyo participated in the trials of political detainees such as Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., ABS-CBN Executive Eugenio Lopez Jr., Cebu politician Sergio Osmena III, Communist Party of the Philippines founder and University of the Philippines Professor Jose Maria Sison, Senators Jovito Salonga and Eva Kalaw, lawyers Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Renato Tañada, Eduardo Olaguer and many others. He actively participated in street demonstrations. He was gassed, injured and hospitalized during protest rallies and incarcerated in a military stockade. Co-founded MABINI and the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).

When Corazon Aquino decided to challenge Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 Snap Presidential Election, Arroyo served as Counsel of Cory Aquino during the snap election. During the first EDSA Revolution, he served as one Aquino's key advisers. On Aquino's Presidency, Arroyo was appointed as Executive Secretary and he was one of the first appointees of Corazon Aquino after she was inaugurated in Club Filipino in San Juan. Arroyo served as Aquino's alter ego in her issuance of Executive Orders (formerly Presidential Decrees). These includes the creation of the Family Code, Presidential Commission on Good Government, creation of the 1986 Freedom Constitution, and the removal of local government officials & appointment of Officers-In-Charge. One Aquino decision, the freedom of Communist leader Jose Maria Sison sparked the September 1987 coup attempt initiated by rebel military leaders. Due to intense pressure from the Philippine Congress the following months, Aquino accepted Arroyo's resignation.[3][4] He held various post in the government service first as Executive Secretary in the Aquino cabinet from 1986 to 1992, then as Chairman of the Philippine National Bank and as Executive Director for the Philippines in the Asian Development Bank from 1986 to 1990. Arroyo has received various awards and commendations for his significant contributions to the law profession and public service. Among these are the Philippine Bar Association’s Most Distinguished Award for Justice as a “man beholden to no one except to his country” and a Senate Resolution No. 100 enacted in the 8th Congress commending him for his invaluable services to the Filipino people. On 1992, Arroyo ran independent for the position of Congressman in the lone district of Makati. He was a popular figure in the House of Representatives with a 100% attendance record for 9 years from the time he was elected up to the end of his last term. He was in caucus with the PDP-Laban. His passed several national bills and some local bills like the creation of the City of Makati and the second district of Makati. On November 2000, he was one of the last congressmen who signed the endorsement for the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada. He was voted as the Lead Prosecutor for the Impeachment Trial on December 2000. He fought for the opening of the second bank envelope and present it as a critical evidence for the prosecution of Estrada. The Senate voted down his request and it led to the second EDSA Revolution. His role in the impeachment trial earned him as one of preferred choice in the SWS and Pulse Asia survey for the Senate race. The new government, led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo convinced Congressman Arroyo to run for the Senate. Arroyo received a huge number of votes from the electorate. After the election, Arroyo has the title of Senator Joker Arroyo. As part of the Senate majority, he was appointed to key and influential positions. He currently serves as Chairman of the very powerful Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Chairman of the Justice and Human Rights Committee, and Chairman of the Public Services Committee.