MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court’s (SC) former spokesperson and first Public Information Office (PIO) chief Ismael Khan Jr. passed away this week.
Khan, 89, passed away due to a lingering illness on November 10, the lawyer’s family and SC announced this week. Khan is survived by his wife Cholly; children Rachel, Rafael, Regina, and Rebecca; and grandchildren Lucas and Hadrien.
A recognized lawyer in labor law and legal ethics, Khan served as the SC’s assistant court administrator and public information office chief from July 1, 1999 to January 7, 2007. He served under three chief justices: former chief justices Hilario Davide Jr., Artemio Panganiban Jr., and Reynato Puno.
“In 1999, under then Chief Justice Davide, the Court created the Public Information Office which was tasked, among others, to bring the Court closer to the people by disseminating news about its decisions and provide the public with judicial information in a manner that the general public can easily understand,” the SC said.
In paying homage to the late official, the SC took note of Khan’s 2004 speech, where he stressed the importance of SC PIO in giving “essential information on acts and decisions—primarily of the Supreme Court, but also of the entire Judiciary—that will impact our lives.”
Khan is a product of the University of the Philippines College of Law. He placed 6th in the 1959 Bar Examinations and was also a member of the New York State Bar.
The late SC official also served as Bar examiner thrice in labor law and legal ethics. He also wrote in various law journals and newspapers, and has authored books like “Everybody’s Dictionary of Philippine Law.” – Rappler.com