Remaining faithful to the Lasallian spirit of compassion and commitment to justice, the University will host the Jose W. Diokno Memorial Lecture 2025 on September 15 at the St. La Salle Coliseum.
This year, the University welcomes Atty. Luke Espiritu, a labor leader, human rights lawyer, and a fearless defender of democracy whose life’s work reflects the same spirit of resistance as Jose W. Diokno.
Over the years, Atty. Espiritu has provided pro bono legal assistance to workers, urban poor communities, and grassroots movements, amplifying their struggles in the fight for dignity and fair treatment.
Since its establishment in 1992, the lecture has honored the legacy of Jose W. “Ka Pepe” Diokno, a Lasallian who embodied courage, wisdom, and an unyielding love for the nation.
Coinciding with the 53rd commemoration of Martial Law, this semester’s theme, “Remembering Resistance, Defending Democracy,” calls to mind the bravery of those who stood unafraid during the darkest years of repression.
At a time when truth is under siege and freedoms remain fragile, the lecture serves as a reminder that the defense of democracy is both memory and mandate, a responsibility carried forward by every generation.