Lorenzo M. Tañada
Senator Tañada was born on August 10, 1898 in Gumaca, Quezon. He started primary school at the elementary schools in Gumaca and Antimonan, Quezon and completed his intermediate and secondary education at De La Salle College. He obtained his AB. and law degrees from the University of the Philippines; Master of Laws from Harvard University; and Doctor of Civil Law from the University of Santo Tomas.
In 1929, he became assistant city fiscal of Manila. In 1936, after having received his doctorate degree, Justice Francisco Delgado invited him to form the law of Delgado and Tañada. In 1945, President Osmeña appointed him judge of the Court of the First Instance of Manila. That same year, he was made solicitor general and chief of the Office of Special Prosecutors. It was in the latter capacity where he projected his type of persuasion; he believed that truth and social justice and honest government were the means to keep the people happy in the pursuit of their sovereign rights.
Tañada was elected senator in 1948. He got re - elected in 1953, 1959 and 1965. He is the president of the nationalist - citizens Party under whose banner he ran for vice - president together with presidential candidate Claro M. Recto.
The legislative record of Tañada speaks well for itself; he sponsored the bill requiring government officials to make public their assets and liabilities; the Tañada Picketing Law which gives protection to laborers on strike; the law changing the Philippine Independence Day from July 4th to June 12; and the infamous bill which prohibits discrimination in the employment of persons by corporations. An important bill to his credit is the law, which prohibits and penalizes wiretapping and other related violations of the privacy of communication.
Because of this distinguished record as public official, several organizations have singled him out for numerous awards. Senator Tañada has demonstrated that a career in public service and a Christian way of life is possible, as it should be emulated.