Joker Paz Arroyo, born on January 5, 1927 and died October 5, 2015.
Joker was a Filipino statesman and key figure in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution which ousted the late strongman President Ferdinand Marcos.
He was Congressman of Makati for 9 years and a member of the Philippine Senate for 12 years, his term in the Upper House of the Philippine Congress ended on 30 June 2013.
Joker has received various awards and commendations for his significant contributions to the law profession and public service.
Among these are the Philippine Bar Association’s Most Distinguished Award for Justice as a “man beholden to no one except to his country” and a Senate Resolution No. 100 enacted in the 8th Congress commending him for his invaluable services to the Filipino people.
Joker Arroyo was born on January 5, 1927 in Naga, Camarines Sur to Ceferino Barrameda Arroyo, Sr. (c. 1884 in Baao, Camarines Sur – January 7, 1949 in Sampaloc, Manila) and Eusebia Bance Paz (born c. 1898 in Baao, Camarines Sur).
His parents were married on April 23, 1919 in Naga, Camarines Sur. But, Joker also lived with his brother, Nonito in Baao, Camarines Sur.
His name “Joker” derives from his father’s fondness for card playing. Jack is the name for his brother.
Joker Arroyo passed away on October 5, 2015 at age 88.