Cayetano Arellano
| Cayetano Arellano | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines | |
| In office June 15, 1901 – April 1, 1920 | |
| Appointed by | William McKinley |
| Preceded by | Newly Established |
| Succeeded by | Victorino Mapa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cayetano Arellano y Lonzón March 2, 1847 Udyong, Bataan, Spanish East Indies (now Orion, Bataan, Philippines) |
| Died | December 23, 1920 (aged 73) Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Spouse(s) | Rosa Bernas |
| Children | Asuncion B. Arellano |
| Alma mater | San Juan de Letran University of Santo Tomas |
Cayetano Arellano y Lonzón (March 2, 1847 – December 23, 1920) was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines under the American Civil Government. He was Chief Justice from 1901 until his retirement on April 12, 1920, making him the longest serving Chief Justice.
Early life
He was born in Udyong (now Orion), Bataan to Servando Arellano, a working Spaniard and Crispora Lonzón, a meeting in Bataan. He started as a working student in San Juan de Letran. After finishing his High School he transferred to University of Santo Tomas, where he finished his Bachelor of Philosophy in 1862 and Bachelor of Theology in 1867, he then continued studying and finished law in 1876. During the Spanish regime, he was appointed Magistrado Suplente of the Audiencia Tribunal de Manila. He later become the Chief Justice of the Provisional Supreme Court created by the military in 1899.
The American Occupation
Arellano, together with Pedro Paterno, Benito Legarda, Florentino Torres and Felipe Buencamino, testified before the Schurman Commission that the Philippines was not yet ready for self-rule. They together form the Federal Party to "promote the annexation of the Philippines as a state". In lieu of this objective, they petitioned the U.S. Congress to create representation, as well as a Philippine Congress and a federal Court.
Upon the onset of the American civil government in 1901, William Howard Taft appointed Arellano as the first Supreme Court Chief Justice.
Personal life
He was married with housewife Rosa Bernas with daughter Asuncion B. Arellano.
Legacy
Many historians doubt the legacy of Arellano, for being one of the persons who literally 'placed' the Philippines under American Rule, he was considered a lackey of the American rule in the Philippines. It was shown that he was pro-American from the start. However, his judicial expertise and know-how was one of the reasons why he was chosen to be the first leader of the Philippine Judiciary. All misgivings about his motives have been erased by the fact that he gave honor to the office of the Supreme Court to a high degree that remains unsurpassed. Cayetano Arellano High School in Sta. Cruz, Manila is named after him. Arellano gave his name to Arellano University, opened in 1938 as the Arellano Law College. The School had multiple campuses, including a law school.
Images
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Monument of Cayetano Arellano in his hometown (Orion, Bataan)
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Marker
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Side view
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Marker
See also
- Arellano (Manila North) High School
- Arellano University
References
- Cruz, Isagani A. (2000). Res Gestae: A Brief History of the Supreme Court. Rex Book Store, Manila
External links
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| Preceded by Newly Established |
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 1901–1920 |
Succeeded by Victorino Mapa |
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