Salvador H. Laurel Museum and Library

ood Government, and Community Development. Later, he was elected Assemblyman of the Interim Batasang Pambansa. As legislator, he authored five "Justice for the Poor" laws, also known as the Laurel Laws, nine (9) laws on Judicial Reforms, the Government Reorganization Act (1968-1970), and Amendments to the Land Reform Code (1971), one of which created the Department of Agrarian Reform. A brilliant lawyer and senator, Doy Laurel received numerous awards, among them the "Lawyer of the Year" Award by the Justice and Court Reporters Association of the Philippines (JUCRA); the "Most Outstanding Senator" (1968 -1971); the "Most Outstanding Legal Aid Lawyer of the World" award by the International Bar Association (IBA) at Stockholm, Sweden. As Opposition leader during the dark days of martial law, Doy Laurel was President of the UNIDO --- the political party that ended the Marcos dictatorship. After obtaining his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines, Doy Laurel pursued further studies, finishing his Master of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science degrees at Yale University. An excellent orator, he was three-time University champion orator, a gold medalist at the University of the Philippines Open Oratorical Contest in 1952, and recipient of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Special Award for Excellence in the same year. He had several books to his credit, particularly on the Constitution, history, and public issues. Greatly influenced by the dedication to public service of his father, President Jose P. Laurel, he founded the Citizens Legal Aid Society of the Philippines in 1966 and served as its Chairman for more than 29 years. CLASP (the precursor of CLAC of the Philippine Bar Association) provided free legal assistance to deserving poor litigants. Laurel's last position was chair of the National Centennial Commission (NCC). The NCC oversaw celebrations in 1998 marking the 100th anniversary of Philippine Independence from more than three centuries of Spanish colonial rule. As head of the NCC for six (6) years --- serving without any compensation --- Dr. Laurel gave his last "full measure of devotion" to his country and people.