FORMER Supreme Court spokesperson Ismael Khan Jr. passed away at the age of 89 last November 10.
The High Court said Khan died “due to a lingering illness.”
Khan is the High Court’s first spokesperson, serving from July 1, 1999 to January 7, 2007 under three Chief Justices—Davide Jr., Artemio Panganiban, Jr., and Reynato Puno.
The SC noted that under Davide the Public Information Office was created to bring the court closer to the people by disseminating news about its decisions and providing the public with judicial information in a manner that the general public can easily understand.
In a speech delivered in 2004, Khan stressed the importance of the SC PIO in “providing essential information on acts and decisions primarily of the Supreme Court but also of the entire Judiciary that will impact our lives.”
Before serving in government, Khan was previously engaged in private practice and was a recognized authority on labor law and legal ethics.
He graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law and placed sixth in the 1959 Bar Examinations.
Khan was also a member of the New York State Bar and an author whose works had been published in law journals, national newspapers and several books, including Everybody’s Dictionary of Philippine Law.
He also served as Bar Examiner three times in labor law and legal ethics.
Khan is survived by his wife, Cholly, children Rachel, Rafael, Regina and Rebecca, and grandchildren Lucas and Hadrian.
