Joker Arroyo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joker P. Arroyo
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| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2013 |
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| Chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee | |
| In office July 23, 2001 – June 30, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Aquilino Pimentel Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Alan Peter Cayetano |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Makati |
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| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | District established |
| Succeeded by | Teodoro Locsin Jr. |
| Constituency | 1st district |
| In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Maria Consuelo Puyat-Reyes |
| Succeeded by | District dissolved |
| Constituency | Lone district |
| 22nd Executive Secretary of the Philippines (Presidential Executive Assistant -1986) |
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| In office February 25, 1986 – September 15, 1987 |
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| President | Corazon Aquino |
| Preceded by | Juan Tuvera |
| Succeeded by | Catalino Macaraig Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ceferino Paz Arroyo, Jr.
January 5, 1927 Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippine Islands |
| Died | October 5, 2015 (aged 88) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Independent (1992–2001, 2002–2007, 2014–2015) |
| Other political affiliations |
Lakas–CMD (2008–2014) KAMPI (2007–2008) Aksyon Demokratiko (2001–2002) Lakas–NUCD (2001) |
| Spouses | Odelia Gregorio Felicitas Aquino |
| Residence | Makati |
| Alma mater | Ateneo de Manila University (AA) University of the Philippines Diliman (LL.B) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Website | Senate Profile |
Ceferino "Joker" Paz Arroyo Jr. (January 5, 1927 – October 5, 2015) was an important Filipino leader. He played a key role in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. This event helped remove the dictator Ferdinand Marcos from power.
Arroyo served as a Congressman for Makati from 1992 to 2001. Later, he became a Senator from 2001 to 2013. He received many awards for his work as a lawyer and in public service. People knew him as the "Scrooge of Congress" because he was very careful with public money. He had few staff, no bodyguards, and did not use special funds given to legislators.
In 2018, he was recognized as a victim of human rights violations during the Martial Law Era.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joker Arroyo was born on January 5, 1927, in Naga, Camarines Sur. His parents were Ceferino Barrameda Arroyo, Sr. and Eusebia Bance Paz. He had seven siblings. His nickname "Joker" came from his father's love for card games.
School Days
He finished elementary school in Naga City and high school in Camarines Sur. He studied Public Law at the Ateneo de Manila University. In 1952, he earned his law degree from the UP College of Law.
A Career in Law
Joker Arroyo began his career as a lawyer in 1953. He mostly helped ordinary people and families with lower incomes.
Challenging Martial Law
On September 23, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. This meant the military took control. Joker Arroyo was the first lawyer to challenge this decision in the Supreme Court. He argued that it was against the country's Constitution.
Arroyo and other brave lawyers also questioned other actions by Marcos. They challenged the new 1973 Constitution and the power of military courts to try regular citizens. Even though these challenges didn't stop Marcos at the time, they showed that not everyone supported his rule.
Arroyo also defended many political prisoners. These included Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and other important figures. He joined street protests, where he was sometimes injured. He even spent time in a military jail. He helped start groups like the Movement for the Advancement of the Brotherhood, Integrity, Nationalism and Independence (MABINI) and the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). These groups offered legal help to those who needed it.
When Corazon Aquino decided to run against Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 election, Arroyo became her lawyer. During the first EDSA Revolution, he was one of Aquino's most important advisors.
Serving the Public
As Executive Secretary
After Corazon Aquino became president, she appointed Joker Arroyo as her Presidential Executive Assistant. This role was later called Executive Secretary. He helped President Aquino issue important orders, like creating the Family Code and setting up a commission to recover ill-gotten wealth. He also helped remove local officials who were loyal to Marcos.
Besides his role as Executive Secretary, he also chaired the Philippine National Bank. He was also an executive director for the Philippines at the Asian Development Bank.
As a Congressman
In 1992, Arroyo ran for Congress in Makati as an independent candidate. He was very popular and had a perfect attendance record for nine years. He helped pass several important national laws. He also worked on local laws, like creating the City of Makati.
In 2000, he was one of the last congressmen to support the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada. He became the lead prosecutor for the trial. His role in this trial made him a top choice for a Senate position. The new government, led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, encouraged him to run for the Senate.
As a Senator
Joker Arroyo became a Senator in 2001. He led important committees, including the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. This committee investigates government corruption. He was known for never traveling abroad using government money. His personal wealth also stayed almost the same throughout his public service. He was reelected in 2007 and retired from public service on June 30, 2013.
Personal Life
Joker Arroyo was married twice. His first wife was Odelia Gregorio. They had two daughters: Ma. Antonia Odelia "Maoi" Gregorio Arroyo, who is a successful businesswoman in biotechnology, and Ma. Zef Francisca "Baba" Arroyo, an entrepreneur and artist.
His second wife was Felicitas S. Aquino, a lawyer. Their daughter, also named Joker Arroyo, is a talented equestrian. She won a team gold medal for the Philippines at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
Even though they share the same last name, Joker Arroyo was not related to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo or her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo.
Death
Joker Arroyo passed away on October 5, 2015, in San Francisco, California. He was 88 years old and died after a heart surgery.
