After accepting defeat in the recently concluded 2019 midterm elections, Otso Diretso’s senatorial candidates Chel Diokno and Erin Tañada have returned to their lawyer duties.
In a photo posted by netizen Katrina Calugay on Facebook, Diokno, dubbed as “woke lolo (grandfather),” was seen entering a courtroom at exactly 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, while carrying a backpack and a brown envelope on his left hand.
“Carrying his backpack full of files and wearing his usual court barong, he meekly enters the courtroom for a pro bono case he handles under FLAG (Free Legal Assistance Group),” Calugay said.
“When I saw his name on the court calendar, I least expected that he would not show up, Dean Chel being Dean Chel. True enough, here he is, non-grandstanding, tireless, dedicated. Most importantly, in high spirits,” she continued.
Another netizen, @arnelcasanova, also posted on Twitter a photo of Diokno, but this time along with his partymate, Tañada.
“Isang araw matapos na matalo sa senatorial elections, serbisyong bayan agad ang inatupag ni @ChelDiokno at @erintanada at pumunta sa Pasig RTC (Regional Trial Court) para ihanap ng hustisya ang mga biktima ng Ortigas rubout (One day after conceding in the senatorial elections, public service is the first thing Diokno and Tañada did and went to Pasig RTC to bring justice to the victims of Ortigas rubout),” he said, tagging Twitter accounts of the two conceded Senate hopefuls.
“I stan them!! Tunay na puso sa bayan! Boses ng katarungan (A real heart for the country! A voice of justice)!” he continued.
As of writing, Calugay’s post garnered 121 reactions, 4,600 comments, and 20,000 shares, while Casanova’s tweet has 605 retweets and 2,720 likes.
Many netizens hailed Diokno and Tañada for going back to work, with some of them still pouring out their heartbreaks over the loss of the two in the senatorial race.
“Nothing can put a good man down. Go lang Chel. Please continue with your advocacies. There’ll be a perfect time for everything,” Facebook user Mae Mina commented on Calugay’s post.
Netizen @leihcar19, meanwhile, replied to Casanova’s tweet, “Ang mga tunay na panalo sa akin ay OtsoDiretso! Sila yung may tunay na talino at puso para mag lingkod sa Bayan (The true winners for me are the Otso Diretso! They have true knowledge and heart to serve the country)!”
Based on the partial and unofficial results of the senatorial race as of 11:04 a.m. today, May 16, Diokno landed on the 21st spot, while Tañada ranked 27th.