Artemio Panganiban
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| Artemio V. Panganiban | |
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| In office December 20, 2005 – December 7, 2006 |
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| Appointed by | Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo |
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| Preceded by | Hilario G. Davide, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Reynato S. Puno |
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| In office October 5, 1995 – December 19, 2005 |
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| Appointed by | Fidel Ramos |
| Preceded by | Camilo D. Quiason |
| Succeeded by | Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. |
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| Born | December 7, 1936 Manila |
Artemio V. Panganiban (born December 7, 1936) was the 21st Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Philippines.
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[edit] Early life and studies
Panganiban was born on December 7, 1936 in Manila to a poor family. He graduated with honors at the Juan Luna Elementary School in 1950. He also finished with honors at the Mapa High School in 1954. He took a degree of Associate in Arts at the Far Eastern University where he graduated cum laude in 1956. He earned a degree of Bachelor of Laws, and graduated cum laude also at the Far Eastern University in 1960. Prior to his graduation, he was named as the "most outstanding student" of Far Eastern University. At the 1960 bar examinations, he placed at the 6th in the rank of highest scores. In 1997, he was given an honorary doctoral degree in law by the University of Iloilo. He was a founder and past president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines.
[edit] Professional career
Panganiban started as an Associate Lawyer and apprentice of Jovito Salonga at the Salonga, Ordoñez and Associates Law Office from 1961 to 1963. In 1963, he formed his own law firm (Panganiban, Benitez, Parlade, Africa and Barinaga Law Offices), which he headed until he joined the Supreme Court in 1995. He also became the vice president of the Legal Management Council of the Philippines from 1976 to 1977.
He taught law and political science at the Far Eastern University, Assumption Convent, and San Sebastian College from 1961 to 1970. He became a bank director of the International Corporate Bank (which is now owned by the Union Bank of the Philippines) from 1972 to 1974.
From 1978 to 1981 he was a consultant of the World Tourism Organization and was a honorary consul of the Republic of Honduras from 1981 to 1983. He was the president of Arpan Tourism Industries Corp. from 1974 to 1993 and Baron Travel Corporation from 1967 to 1993.
Panganiban was the Chief legal counsel of the Liberal Party from 1987 to 1991 and was president of the Philippine Daily Inquirer from 1991 to 1992.
As a legal counsel of the Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Association from 1991 to 1995, he was the only Filipino appointed by Pope John Paul II to the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
From May 1993 to October 1995, he was the vice president for legal affairs and general counsel of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was also the governor of the Management Association of the Philippines and president of the Rotary Club of Manila.
[edit] Supreme Court
Panganiban was named as associate justice of the Supreme Court in 1995. Justice Panganiban was the chairperson of the Supreme Court Third Division and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET), as well as of seven SC committees involved mainly in judicial reforms. Described by a colleague (Justice Antonio T. Carpio) as “undoubtedly the most prolific writer of the Court, bar none” he has during the last ten years penned more than 1,000 full-length decisions and ten books plus several thousand minute resolutions disposing of controversies. These include the Cocofed case, in which the court gave the Presidential Commission on Good Government the right to vote sequestered United Coconut Planters Bank shares, which had been acquired through coco levy funds.
[edit] Role at the second EDSA revolution
Panganiban was also known for his controversial role in helping install then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as President in 2001 after the downfall of Joseph Estrada.
In his book "Reforming the Judiciary," Panganiban recounted that on the morning of January 20, 2001, militants had threatened to march toward Don Chino Roces (Mendiola) Bridge, where Estrada supporters were encamped, unless he resigned. Chaos could have ensued, especially because the government machinery had fallen down, Panganiban said in his book.
He also worried that the Vice President could not act because Estrada was still the legal leader. On the other hand, a coup d'état might be staged, and that could obliterate the Constitution. These led Panganiban to conclude that "the only way to avert violence, chaos and bloodshed and to save our democratic system from collapse was to have Mrs. Arroyo sworn in as President."
He added: "After prayer and reflection, I summoned the courage to call up Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. about 5:30 a.m. to explain to him my apprehensions. I proposed that, to save the Constitution, he should swear in GMA (Arroyo) by 12 noon of that day." Arroyo became President that day.
When the question of Arroyo's legitimacy arose, Davide and Panganiban inhibited themselves from the Supreme Court proceedings. On March 2, 2001, the court voted 13-0 to uphold Arroyo's ascension to the top post. A month later, the court again voted 13-0 to deny with finality Estrada's motion for reconsideration.
[edit] Chief Justice
Justice Panganiban was named Supreme Court Chief Justice on December 20, 2005 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after Hilario Davide, Jr. retired at age 70. Other nominees by the Judicial and Bar Council include Senior Associate Justice Reynato Puno and Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing. Puno is the most senior in terms of career in the Supreme Court while Panganiban is the most senior in terms of age.
Chief Justice Panganiban drew controversy for his remarks made in June of 2006 regarding the 1998 decision of the Supreme Court, in which he participated, affirming the death penalty imposed on Leo Echegaray. Echegaray, a convicted rapist was executed the following year in what was the first execution in the Philippines since the regime of Ferdinand Marcos. Panganiban, whose anti-death penalty views are well known, suggested that the Supreme Court may have committed "a judicial error" in executing Echegaray, as not all of the qualifying circumstances needed to promulgate a death conviction were actually established.[1] His remarks, coming at the heels of the passage by Congress of a law abolishing the death penalty, were criticized by death-penalty advocates and some newspaper editorials. Calls were made in some quarters to indemnify the family of Echegaray.[2] Supporters of former President Joseph Estrada were also emboldened to demand that the Supreme Court likewise to correct its 2001 decision upholding the assumption to the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in lieu of Estrada.[3] Panganiban subsequently clarified that his remarks on the Echegaray decision were his own personal views and not that of the Supreme Court.[4]
[edit] Books
As his way of reporting on his magistracy, Justice Panganiban writes one book a year. He has authored the following:
- 1997 - Love God Serve Man; Justice and Faith
- 1998 - Battles in the Supreme Court
- 1999 - Leadership by Example
- 2000 - Transparency, Unanimity & Diversity
- 2001 - A Centenary of Justice
- 2002 - Reforming the Judiciary
- 2003 - The Bio Age Dawns on the Judiciary
- 2004 - Leveling the Playing Field
- 2005 - Judicial Renaissance.
The much awaited book would be his last in his career in the judiciary when he retires on December 7, 2006 when he reaches the age of 70.
[edit] Personal life
Panganiban is married to wife Elenita, professor and former associate dean of the Asian Institute of Management. They have five children, who all hold graduate degrees from pedigreed universities in the United States, including Harvard, Stanford, University of California, University of Chicago, University of Michigan and Boston University. He is also a honorary graduate of the San Beda College of Law due to his accomplishments and contributions to the Philippine Legal System.
[edit] References
- ^ Chief Justice: SC error led to execution - INQ7.net
- ^ Gov’t urged to pay Echegaray’s kin - INQ7.net
- ^ Dilangalen urges SC: Pls correct error on Estrada, too - INQ7.net
- ^ The Manila Times Internet Edition | TOP STORIES > CJ’s views on Leo’s execution his alone
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Hilario Davide, Jr. |
Chief Justice of the Philippines 2005–2006 |
Succeeded by Reynato Puno |
| Preceded by Camilo D. Quiason |
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 1995–2005 |
Succeeded by Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. |
