Marcelo Fernan

Marcelo "Celing" Briones Fernán (October 24, 1927 – July 11, 1999) was a Filipino lawyer and political figure. He is the only Filipino to have served as both Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and as Senate president. He is also the third Filipino to have headed both the judicial and legislative branches of government, after Querube Makalintal who served as Chief Justice and Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa in the 1970s, and Jose Yulo, who served as Chief Justice and Speaker of the House of Representatives before 1946.

Early life and career

Fernan was born in Cebu City. In 1953 he graduated with a degree in law from the University of the Philippines. He went to Harvard University in United States to obtain his masters degree. He returned to the Philippines soon after and entered politics as a delegate to the National Constitutional Convention. In 1977, he was elected national president of the Integrated Bar (National Lawyers Organization) and on 1988 became the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Personal life

He was married Eloisa Nolasco in 1955, having 9 children Marissa N. Fernan; Marget Fernan-Villarica, Maur Fernan-Ledesma, Memel Fernan-Borromeo, Marcel N. Fernan, Mitoy Fernan-Cayosa, Mona Fernan-Quiogue, Michael N. Fernan, Manny N. Fernan and 18 grandchildren, Carlo, Miki and Monica Villarica; Paolo and Camille Ledesma; Mio and Melissa Borromeo; Marc and Rina Fernan; Andre, Marco, Clara and Niña Cayosa; Marty, Sofia and Emilio Quiogue; Simon and Isabelle Fernan. He is also closely related to the Manigsaca family in Cebu City.

Political life

He resigned as Chief Justice in 1991 to pursue running as president. He accepted the offer of Ramon Mitra as his vice presidential candidate of the LDP Party. In the 1992 elections, he however lost to actor and Senator Joseph Estrada. In the 1995 elections, Fernan ran for the Senate under the Lakas-Laban coalition and was elected. Fernan was elected Senate president at the opening of the 11th Congress in 1998. He was one who approved the US-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (Treaty) in 1999.

Fernan resigned the Senate Presidency on June 28, 1999 due to his failing health. He died of cancer only days later, on July 11 in Manila. He was buried in Cebu City. A newly built bridge was named after him linking Mandaue City to Mactan Island.

Trivia

When he was a member of the opposition in the Batasang Pambansa, he would sing the song 'Feelings' in public during demonstrations against the Marcos regime. But he stopped such practice after being appointed to the Supreme Court.

His Uncle, Manuel Briones, was also a Supreme Court justice from 1945–1949. Like Fernan, Briones also ran and lost for the Vice-Presidency in 1949.

One of his favorite songs is My Way, by Frank Sinatra.

External links

• Senate of the Philippines - Mercelo Fernán biography