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The Honorable AVELINO V. CRUZ
Chairman, ALA Philippine National Committee
President, Asean Law Association of the Philippines
(A Testimonial for Hon. Artemio V. Panganiban, Chief Justice of the Philippines, Saturday, 22 April 2006 7:00 in the evening at the Ballroom Dusit Hotel Nikko, Makati City)
In behalf of the Philippine National Committee, I am privileged to welcome our guests, especially those from other ASEAN nations, to this Testimonial in honor of the Chief Justice of the Philippines, Artemio V. Panganiban.
His elevation sustains an ALA tradition, as ALA member jurists continue to assume the leadership of their respective high courts in the Asean countries. Recall that in the Philippines, the late Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan and former Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. were both pillars and ardent supporters of ALA. Names of chief magistrates in their respective highest courts such as Tun Suffian, Purwoto Gandasubatra, Mohamed Dzaiddin, Bagir Manan, Atthaniti Disatha Amnarj and Sansern Kraichitti, resonate through the corridors of ALA’s 25-year history.
By the same token, counterpart leadership in their respective Bar Societies and the Academe such as that of T P B Menon, Edgardo J. Angara, Hendon Mohamed, Komar Kantaatmadjia, Franklin M. Drilon, Tan Sook Yee, S. Jayakumar and Teuku Rdhie, to name just a few, mirror the uniqueness of the ALA family whose members are, in their home countries, primus inter pares in their respective fields.
I would like to particularly welcome and congratulate ALA President, Justice Chao Hick Tin, who was recently elevated to the position of Attorney General of Singapore, as well as Singapore National Committiee Vice Chairman, Mr. Lee Seiu Kin, who was appointed Justice of the Singapore Supreme Court.
This ALA testimonial is a fitting tribute to Chief Justice Panganiban, one of the Philippines’ most brilliant and respected jurists, the moving spirit and tireless organizer behind last year’s unprecedented global conference in Judicial Reform. A true ALA pioneer with whom I worked closely in the 1980 1st ALA General Assembly in Manila, he has in recent years, contributed tirelessly in virtually all Governing Council and General Assembly meetings, and even in the ALA Golfers Club events.
In behalf of all members of ALA Philippines, I wish to convey to Chief Justice Panganiban our warmest personal regards and best wishes.
Some Introductions of Chief Justice Panganiban
Ms. Chit Lijauco, Managing Editor, Philippine Tatler Magazine, May 2009 issue.IN 1992 WHEN ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN was invited by President Fidel V. Ramos to be the Justice Secretary, his response was, “Mr. President, I might be the wrong choice; I did not campaign for you.” To which Ramos answered, “ I know. You did not even vote for me!”
Robert Kwan, Chairman of the Board, St. Luke’s Hospital, upon reading two of Chief Justice Panganiban’s books“God has gifted you with prophetic words, which are great quotes. While reading them, I highlighted those quotes so hopefully my kids will also learn from them when they review the books I have read.”
Dr. Alberto G. Romulo during the Reception in Honor of H.E. Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams on February 11, 2008“Cited by his colleagues in the Supreme Court as “the 21st Century’s Renaissance Jurist,” the former Chief Justice has had an enviable judicial record noteworthy for its independence, integrity and erudition.”
H.E. Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams during the Reception on February 11, 2008“When people speak of him, they do so in the superlative, and describe him as a “gifted jurist”, a man of “intelligence, competence, integrity and independence”.”
Bishop Socrates Villegas during the Retirement of Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban on December 06, 2006“...Chief Justice Art has shown us that loyalty to God and excellence in government service are not incompatible.”
Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez during the Tribute entitled “Through the Years: Celebrating the Life and Achievements of Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban” on November 15, 2006“Chief Justice Panganiban joined the Supreme Court in 1995, equipped with the excellent academic and professional record. Since then, he has strengthened the Supreme Court with his competence, integrity and independence – virtues that made him a strong pillar of our institution.”
Rina Jimenez-David from Inquirer/Opinion (At Large) October 29, 2006“How he rose from frustration and defeat, to achieving every lawyer’s greatest dream is indeed an inspirational story. But I will hazard a guess that his sense of “destiny,” and how he sought to fulfil this in his years in the Court, arose not just from past experience, but from an inner fire and conviction.”
Hon. Jovito R. Salonga from his Foreword to “Liberty and Prosperity” – July 1, 2006“Chief Justice Panganiban is not awed by all sorts of criticisms, whether from friends, well-wishers, skeptics, or cynics… In a deeper sense, Art is my mentor. For he is no longer the same person I used to know.”
Justice Romeo J. Callejo, Sr. during a Testimonial for Hon. Artemio V. Panganiban on April 22, 2006“One book a year and no cases left undecided. This is Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban’s unsurpassed record and the best summation of judicial reform.”
Hon. Chao Hick Tin, President of the Asean Law Association (ALA) during a Testimonial for Hon. Artemio V. Panganiban on April 22, 2006“A brilliant and respected jurist, and a prolific writer, he is an acknowledged contributor to one of the world’s great revolutions – the revolution of knowledge. Anyone who knows Chief Justice Panganiban will testify that he stands for steadfastness, honesty, dedication and progress.”
Atty. Avelino V. Cruz during a Testimonial for Hon. Artemio V. Panganiban on April 22, 2006“ ...to Chief Justice Panganiban, one of the Philippines’ most brilliant and respected jurists, ...”
Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez during a Testimonial Dinner of the Society for Judicial Excellence on January 19, 2006“A summation of all his fine qualities mentioned this evening, shows that his is the finest standard of ethics, professional competence, integrity and independence…”
Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez during the 10th Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. Distinguished Lecture last October 19, 2005“... with his brilliance of mind, competence and independence, he has been adding lustre to that court.”