Artemio Panganiban facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Artemio V. Panganiban
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 21st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines | |
| In office December 20, 2005 – December 7, 2007 |
|
| Appointed by | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Hilario G. Davide Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Reynato S. Puno |
| 137th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines | |
| In office October 5, 1995 – December 19, 2005 |
|
| Appointed by | Fidel Ramos |
| Preceded by | Camilo D. Quiason |
| Succeeded by | Presbitero J. Velasco Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Artemio Villaseñor Panganiban Jr.
December 7, 1937 Sampaloc, Manila, Commonwealth of the Philippines |
| Alma mater | Far Eastern University (L.L.B.) |
| Website | https://cjpanganiban.com/ |
Artemio Villaseñor Panganiban Jr. (born December 7, 1937) is a famous Filipino lawyer and judge. He was the 21st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 2005 to 2007. This means he was the highest judge in the country.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Artemio Panganiban was born on December 7, 1937, in Sampaloc, Manila. His family was not wealthy. His parents, Artemio Panganiban Sr. and Patricia Villaseñor, were from Pampanga.
He was a very good student. He graduated with "Honorable Mention" from Juan Luna Elementary School in 1950. He also finished with "Honorable Mention" from Victorino Mapa High School in 1954.
Panganiban received a scholarship to the University of the Philippines. However, he could not go because his family could not afford the bus fare. So, he enrolled as a scholar at the well-known Far Eastern University (FEU). He earned a degree called Associate in Arts with very high honors (summa cum laude) from FEU in 1956. He also earned a Bachelor of Laws degree with honors (cum laude) from FEU in 1960. Before graduating, he was named the "Most Outstanding Student" of Far Eastern University in 1959.
Becoming a Top Lawyer
In 1960, Panganiban took the Philippine Bar Examination to become a lawyer. He was not feeling well and was in the hospital before the exam. But his dean, Jovito R. Salonga, encouraged him not to give up. Panganiban finished the four-week exam and placed sixth among all test-takers.
Later, he received honorary doctorate degrees in law from several universities. He also helped start and was president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines from 1958 to 1959.
Professional Career
Panganiban started his career as a lawyer working with Jovito Salonga from 1961 to 1963. Salonga was his mentor and taught him a lot about law. In 1963, Panganiban started his own law firm, PABLAW. He led this firm until he joined the Supreme Court in 1995.
He also held important roles in business and civic groups. He was the Vice President for Legal Affairs of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1991 to 1995. He was also the Chief Legal Counsel for the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV). He was the only Filipino chosen by Pope John Paul II to be part of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
Panganiban taught law and political science at several schools from 1961 to 1970. He was also a bank director and a consultant for the World Tourism Organization. He even served as an honorary consul for the Republic of Honduras.
He was the chief legal counsel for the Liberal Party from 1987 to 1991. He was also the president of the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper from 1991 to 1992.
Today, Panganiban still writes columns for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. He also works as a consultant and director for different businesses and organizations.
Serving in the Supreme Court
Artemio Panganiban became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1995. He was known for writing many decisions and books. He wrote over 1,000 full decisions and ten books during his time as an Associate Justice.
Role in 2001 Events
Panganiban played an important role during the events of 2001, when Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo became president. He explained that there was a lot of tension and a risk of violence. He believed that the best way to prevent chaos and protect the country's system was to have Mrs. Arroyo sworn in as Acting President.
He called Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. to suggest this. Mrs. Arroyo became president that day. When questions about her leadership came up, the Supreme Court later voted to support her becoming president.
Becoming Chief Justice
Panganiban was named Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on December 20, 2005. He was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. retired. Panganiban served as Chief Justice for two years. He was succeeded by Reynato Puno in December 2007.
As Chief Justice, Panganiban made some comments in June 2006 about a 1998 Supreme Court decision. He suggested that the Court might have made a mistake in a case involving a convicted person named Leo Echegaray. Panganiban is known for his views against the death penalty. He later clarified that these were his personal thoughts and not the official view of the Supreme Court.
Books Written
Justice Panganiban wrote a book every year to share about his work as a judge. Here are some of the books he authored:
- 1994 – Love God, Serve Man
- 1997 – 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
- 2006 – Liberty and Prosperity (two volumes)
After His Time as a Judge
"With Due Respect" Column
After leaving the Supreme Court, Panganiban started writing a column called "With Due Respect" for the Philippine Daily Inquirer on February 12, 2007. In this column, he continues to share his thoughts on Philippine politics and how the government handles justice and fairness.
Personal Life
Artemio Panganiban was married to Elenita Alcazar Carpio. She was a professor at the Asian Institute of Management. They were married on April 8, 1961, and had five children. Elenita Carpio passed away on April 10, 2023. Panganiban also has 10 grandchildren.
Panganiban is also an independent director for several companies. These include GMA Network, Manila Electric Company, Robinsons Land Corp., Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., Petron Corporation, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Asian Terminals, and Jollibee Foods Corporation.
Awards and Honors
- On April 16, 2007, the Philippine Bar Association gave Panganiban the "Award of Honor." They praised him as a "principled and visionary leader," a "prolific writer," and an "exemplary family man."
- On April 9, 2024, he received the “Haligi ng Bantayog” title from the Bantayog ng mga Bayani foundation.
- In July 2024, Panganiban received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award. This award recognized his work in preserving the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica, where he serves as president of its foundation.
