Franklin Drilon

Franklin Magtunao Drilon (Tagalog pronunciation: [dɾiˈlɔn]; born November 28, 1945) is a Filipino lawyer and former politician. He has served thrice as president of the Senate: in 2000, from 2001 to 2006, and from 2013 to 2016. Having also served as Senate's president pro tempore, majority leader, and minority leader, he is the first of two senators to have held all four of the Senate's major leadership positions; the second being Senator Tito Sotto. A member of the Liberal Party since 2003, he has previously led the party as president, chairman, and vice-chairman. He also served as labor secretary, justice secretary, and executive secretary in the administration of President Corazon Aquino. He became the 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.