Frank Drilon launches memoir on decades in government

Former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon details crises and decisions from his 36 years in public service in “Being Frank: A Memoir,” a firsthand account of his career in government.

The book launch will be held at the Marco Polo Club at 4 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2026.

In “Being Frank,” Drilon traces his first foray into public service in 1986, when the country was reeling from the aftermath of martial law and rebuilding democratic institutions.

He writes of entering government at a time marked by uncertainty and disorder, including labor unrest, repeated coup attempts, and a wave of high-profile killings in the 1990s.

As labor secretary, Drilon writes about navigating waves of labor strikes and unrest.

As justice secretary during the high-profile killings of the 1990s, he recalls that the burden of delivering justice fell squarely on him amid intense public scrutiny and pressure on the country’s justice system.

Drilon also recounts his role as executive secretary during the 1992 transition of power.

He describes the challenges of ensuring a peaceful and orderly transfer of leadership in the first years after the restoration of democracy.

A substantial portion of the book is devoted to impeachment, an issue again in the public spotlight following the filing of impeachment cases against top government officials.

Drilon served twice as a senator-judge during the impeachment trials of former President Joseph Estrada and former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

He documents the legal strategies, key rulings, and procedural battles that defined those trials.

Drilon also revisits corruption scandals that he says should never be repeated.

He examines how loopholes in the system were exploited and public funds abused.

He cited cases such as the Fertilizer Fund scam, the North Rail controversy, the pork barrel scam, and the COVID-19 procurement scandal involving Pharmally.

He also offers lessons on how weak oversight and compromised institutions allow corruption to take root.

The book discusses Drilon’s political alliances and eventual break with former Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada.

It explains the issues and decisions that led to those falling out.

The memoir also reflects on Drilon’s legislative record, including landmark measures he authored such as the Dual Citizenship Act, the Sin Tax Reform Law, the GOCC Governance Act, and laws liberalizing public services and retail trade.

Drilon said he dedicates the book to the youth.

He urged them to understand the value of strong institutions, the rule of law, and the cost of forgetting history.

The memoir features a foreword by former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban and an afterword by Education Secretary Sonny Angara. (PR)