'Ipaglaban Mo!' host Atty. Jose Sison passes away

TV host and lawyer Jose Sison has passed away at 88.

His son, Atty. Jopet Sison, confirmed his death in a Facebook post.

"This morning, July 23, 2026, our Papa Ping peacefully joined our Creator. We are comforted that he lived a full life as a lawyer, a husband to Josie, a father to his six children, and a grandfather to his sixteen grandchildren," Jopet wrote.

"Please keep him in your prayers and remember him with love and fond memories."

Sison's wake will be held at Ascension Chapel at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao starting July 24 afternoon. The interment will be at Heavens Gate 1 Memorial Park in Antipolo City on July 28.

Sison was known for hosting the legal drama anthology Ipaglaban Mo! from 1988 to 2000. Jopet later joined him in the series from 2014 to 2020. 

The show dramatized intriguing court cases brought and settled in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. 

Sison, who was married to Josefina Sampedro, had five sons—namely, Jopet, Joel, Jay, Jolly, and Jaybee—and a daughter named Joyce, who passed away in 2003 at the age of 39.

He also wrote for the Philippine STAR under a column titled "A Law Each Day (Keeps Trouble Away)."