Hilario Davide Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hilario G. Davide Jr.
GCSS, KGCR
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| 17th Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations | |
| In office February 24, 2007 – April 29, 2010 |
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| Nominated by | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Lauro Baja, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Libran N. Cabactulan |
| 20th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines | |
| In office November 30, 1998 – December 20, 2005 |
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| Nominated by | Joseph Estrada |
| Preceded by | Andres R. Narvasa |
| Succeeded by | Artemio V. Panganiban |
| 124th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines | |
| In office January 24, 1991 – November 29, 1998 |
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| Nominated by | Corazon Aquino |
| Preceded by | Irene R. Cortes |
| Succeeded by | Minerva Gonzaga-Reyes |
| Chairman of the Commission on Elections | |
| In office February 15, 1988 – January 12, 1990 |
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| Appointed by | Corazon Aquino |
| Preceded by | Ramon H. Felipe |
| Succeeded by | Haydee Yorac |
| Member of the Philippine Constitutional Commission | |
| In office June 2, 1986 – October 15, 1986 |
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| Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblyman) from Region VII | |
| In office June 12, 1978 – June 5, 1984 |
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| Personal details | |
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Hilario Gelbolingo Davide
December 20, 1935 Argao, Cebu, Commonwealth of the Philippines |
| Political party | Pusyon Bisaya |
| Spouse | Virginia Jimenea Perez |
| Children | 5, including Hilario III |
| Parents | Hilario P. Davide Sr. (father) Josefa L. Gelbolingo (mother) |
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Hilario Gelbolingo Davide Jr. (born December 20, 1935) is a famous Filipino lawyer, professor, and diplomat. He was the 20th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He also served as the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations. As a "constitutionalist," he helped create important parts of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. He is known as one of its main authors.
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Early Life and Education
Hilario G. Davide Jr. was born on December 20, 1935, in Argao, Cebu. He was the sixth of seven children. His father, Hilario Panerio Davide Sr., was a retired school superintendent. His mother, Josefa Lopez Gelbolingo, was a teacher. Even though they didn't have much money, his parents made sure all their children finished college.
Young Hilario, or "Dodong Jun," helped with chores like gathering sugarcane. He knew that schoolwork and house tasks had to be done before any fun.
School Days
He finished elementary school at Argao Central Elementary School. He then went to Abellana Vocational High School for his secondary education. For college, he attended the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City.
At the university, he earned several degrees:
- Associate in Arts in 1955
- Bachelor of Science in Jurisprudence in 1958
- Bachelor of Laws in 1959
During his law studies, he joined honor societies like "Order of the Purple Feather," Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Gamma Mu. He also worked as an editor for the Philippine Law Journal. He passed the bar exams in the same year he graduated.
Early Career
From 1959 to 1963, Davide worked as a private secretary. He assisted the vice-governor and later the governor of Cebu Province.
He also taught at the College of Law of Southwestern University in Cebu City. This was from 1962 to 1968. Many years later, in 1999, the university gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Public Service and Lawmaking
Davide's journey in public service began when he was elected as a delegate. This was for the 1971 Constitutional Convention from the 4th District of Cebu Province. He became the chairman of a committee focused on citizens' duties and public officials' ethics. He proposed many important reforms.
Fighting for Rights
In 1978, he was elected as an assemblyman for Cebu. He joined the Interim Batasang Pambansa under the opposition party, Pusyon Bisaya. He became a strong critic of martial law. As the first Minority Floor Leader, he filed many bills and resolutions. These aimed to lift martial law and investigate corruption and human rights violations.
Helping Write the Constitution
After the People Power Revolution in 1986, President Corazon Aquino formed the Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986. Davide was one of the 50 members. He led the group that wrote the article about the legislative branch. He also proposed Resolution No. 9, which added rules for martial law. This resolution made sure martial law could only be declared with legislative approval and for a limited time. This rule is still important today.
Working for the Government
In February 1988, President Aquino appointed Davide as Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). He helped create the COMELEC's rules for how it would operate.
Investigating a Coup Attempt
His time at COMELEC was cut short. President Aquino asked him to lead a special commission. This commission was to investigate a coup attempt in December 1989. Military rebels tried to remove President Aquino from power. Davide's commission investigated the rebellion and looked into anyone who might have been involved. They also suggested ways to prevent similar attempts in the future.
Supreme Court Justice
Associate Justice Role
On January 24, 1991, President Aquino appointed Davide as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He served on the Senate Electoral Tribunal from 1996 to 1997. He also chaired the House of Representative Electoral Tribunal from 1997 to 1998.
Becoming Chief Justice
On November 30, 1998, President Joseph Estrada appointed him as the 20th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He took his oath in Manila and became known as the "Centennial and Millennial Chief Justice."
In December 2000, he led the impeachment trial against President Estrada. When large protests happened, Chief Justice Davide stepped in. He swore in then-Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the new president. This action helped prevent more violence and a possible military takeover. The Supreme Court later confirmed that Vice President Arroyo's succession was legal.
After the Supreme Court
Davide retired as Chief Justice on December 20, 2005, when he turned 70.
In 2006, President Arroyo appointed him as a senior adviser on electoral reforms. He suggested ways to improve the country's election system.
United Nations Ambassador
In February 2007, Davide became the ambassador and permanent representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in New York City. Soon after, he was elected vice chairman of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This is one of the main parts of the United Nations. He left this position on April 1, 2010.
Truth Commission Work
On June 30, 2010, President Noynoy Aquino announced that Davide would lead a truth commission. This commission was created to investigate important issues in the country.
However, in December 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that the Truth Commission was not allowed. The court said that while the president could create such a commission, it unfairly focused only on the previous administration.
Later Career and Awards
Since 2011, Davide has been an independent director for the Manila Bulletin. He also serves as a trustee at the University of San Carlos. He is an independent director for Megawide Corporation and Philtrust Bank.
Recognitions and Honors
Davide has received many awards for his service:
- In 2011, he received the Knight Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of St. Sylvester from Pope Benedict XVI. This is a high honor from the Holy See.
- In 2002, he won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service. This award is sometimes called the "Asian Nobel Prize." He was recognized for his strong principles and his work for democracy and the rule of law in the Philippines.
- He also received the 2005 Most Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association.
- Other awards include the 2003 Man of the Year Award, the 2000 Filipino of the Year Award, and the 2001 Rule of Law Award.
- He has 13 honorary doctoral degrees in law and humanities.
- In 2006, the American Bar Association (ABA) gave him the ABA International Rule of Law Award. This was for his great leadership in promoting the rule of law.
- He was also the Supreme Commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal and received its highest rank.
World Justice Project
Hilario G. Davide Jr. is an honorary co-chair for the World Justice Project. This project works to strengthen the Rule of Law around the world. It aims to create communities with more opportunities and fairness.
Personal Life
Hilario G. Davide Jr.'s family was named the ABS-CBN Bayaning Pamilyang Pilipino of the Year in 1997. His brother, Romulo Davide, is also a Magsaysay Awardee. Romulo is known as the "Father of Plant Nematology" in the Philippines. In 2024, Romulo was named a National Scientist of the Philippines.
Hilario Jr., often called "Jun," is married to Virginia (Gigi) Jimenea Perez. They met while working for Governor Francisco Remotigue. They have five children:
- Hilario Davide III (a lawyer and former governor of Cebu)
- Joseph Bryan Hilary (a law graduate)
- Sheryl Ann (a doctor)
- Noreen (a Master in SPED graduate)
- Delster Emmanuel (an architect)
They also have fourteen grandchildren.
Davide enjoys gardening as a hobby. He once said, "Plants are better than people, they bloom for you, adorn your surroundings and give you peace and quiet. [Unlike plants,] people argue with you and sometimes make life miserable for you."
See also
