[2][7] He developed a strong interest in Chess, and skipped class at the expense of his teachers, who promoted corporal punishment, even if he was a consistent honor student.

[7] Saguisag went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959 from San Beda College with honor-level grades, taking one semester studying one of his favorite subjects, Spanish, at the University of the East to complete requirements.

[2] He also later graduated cum laude from San Beda College with a bachelor of laws degree in 1963 and placed 6th in the same year's Bar Examinations.

[2] He was among the opposition figures targeted for arrest by President Ferdinand Marcos's administration upon the declaration of martial law in September 1972, and he spent several months in jail without being charged of a crime.

[12] Saguisag was the co-author with his uncle, Jovito Salonga of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713), the main author of the Ombudsman Act of 1989 (R.A. 6770), and was one of the 12 senators who voted against the extension of the U.S. military bases treaty in 1991.

His experience not having to pay a centavo to win the election came due to the high-tide of trust in the new Aquino government, however it slowly devolved into campaigning mixed with showbusiness, thus prompting more actors and entertainers to become senators.

[7] Following his departure from the Senate, right after the Philippine Centennial Celebration, Saguisag was appointed by Joseph Estrada to head the Ad Hoc and Independent Citizens' Committee (AHICC) with members Atty.

[9] Saguisag had also not stopped his work on human rights, and has filed cases against the Anti-Terror Law of 2020 and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) treaty under President Benigno Aquino III.

In the books he discussed about his life lessons, and his opinion on the people he worked with, including his friend, the late senator Joker Arroyo.

[18][19] Saguisag still frequently made appearances to give his review and criticism of the modern administrations, including their policies such as the War on Drugs of ex-Pres.

He stated that Marcos's name may also be engraved at the Martial law memorial, the Bantayog ng mga Bayani if common sense is removed from the minds of the judges.

[22][23] Saguisag married Dulce M. Quintans, who was a former Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development under President Joseph Estrada, in Manila on December 27, 1970.

She replied no, to which Rene proposed and then told Mrs. Quintans, his eventual mother-in-law, that he promised to love and care for her daughter for the rest of his life.

Saguisag and his wife were in their van on their way home to Palanan from one of their usual late-night ballroom dancing sessions at Byke's Cafe along Chino Roces Avenue when a speeding dump truck, running a red light, accidentally struck their vehicle in the middle of the highway.

[27] The funeral was held at St. Scholastica's College by Benedictine priests, including Saguisag's cousin Dom Benildus Maramba.

[28] He spent 20 days in the intensive-care unit without being informed of his wife's death by friend Joker Arroyo, and was released from the hospital on December 8, 2007.

[29] Rene and Dulce's youngest daughter, Kaissa Saguisag is a gymnast, but a knee injury ended her quest for gold at the 24th Southeast Asian Games.

[30] Their son Rebo, is also a lawyer who is the executive director and former commissioner of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and a city councilor of Makati since 2016.

[33] However, they continued to maintain their friendship from their time at FLAG and MABINI, and spoke out together against the red-tagging from ex-President Duterte and his generals, including Antonio Parlade.

He had made his final public appearance on April 9 (Day of Valor) at a ceremony at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City.