Bio-Data

BIO-DATA OF
Chief Justice ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN (Ret.)
Supreme Court of the Philippines
As of January 1, 2008

1. PRESENT OCCUPATION

COLUMN WRITER, Philippine Daily Inquirer
ADVISER, CONSULTANT and/or INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR of several business, civic, non-government and religious groups

2. LAST CONCURRENT POSITIONS IN THE GOVERNMENT (2005-2006)

CHIEF JUSTICE of the Philippines
CHAIRPERSON, Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET)
CHAIRPERSON, Judicial and Bar Council
CHAIRPERSON, Philippine Judicial Academy

3. AUTHOR of the following books:

Love God, Serve Man (1994)
Justice and Faith (1997)
Battles in the Supreme Court (1998)
Leadership by Example (1999)
Transparency, Unanimity and Diversity (2000)
A Centenary of Justice (2001)
Reforming the Judiciary (2002)
The Bio-Age Dawns on the Judiciary (2003)
Leveling the Playing Field (2004)
Judicial Renaissance (2005)
Liberty and Prosperity (2006, two volumes)

4. PAST MAJOR POSITIONS IN THE JUDICIARY (prior to becoming Chief Justice)

JUSTICE, Supreme Court of the Philippines, 1995-2005
CHAIRPERSON, Third Division, Supreme Court, 2004-2005
CHAIRPERSON, House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, 2004-2005
CONFERENCE CHAIRPERSON, International Conference and Showcase on Judicial Reforms, November 28-30, 2005
CONSULTANT, Judicial and Bar Council, 2004-2005
CHAIRPERSON of eight Supreme Court Committees, 1998-2005

5. EDUCATION

• Elementary, Honorable Mention, Juan Luna Elementary School, 1950
• Secondary, Honorable Mention, Mapa High School, 1954
• Associate in Arts, “With Highest Honors,” Far Eastern University, 1956
• “Most Oustanding Student,” Far Eastern University, 1959
• Bachelor of Laws, Cum Laude, Far Eastern University, 1960
• Bar Examinations, 1960, 6th place with a grade of 89.55 percent
• Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), University of Iloilo, 1997
• Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), Far Eastern University, 2002
• Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), University of Cebu, 2006
• Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), Angeles University, 2006

• Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), Bulacan State University, 2006

6. PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Date of Birth: December 7, 1936
Place of Birth: Manila, Philippines

Wife:
ELENITA C. PANGANIBAN
AB-Math, St. Scholastica’s College
BSE, St. Scholastica’s College
MA-Statistics, University of the Philippines
MBM, Asian Institute of Management
Professor (former Associate Dean), Asian Institute of Management

Children:
MARIA ELENA PANGANIBAN-YAPTANGCO
BSM-Honors Course, Ateneo de Manila University
MBA, University of California
Currently President and Chief Executive, The Baron Travel Corporation and related companies

JOSE ARTEMIO III
BSME, Honorable Mention, Ateneo de Manila University
Bachelor of Music, Summa Cum Laude, University of the Philippines
Advance Course in Piano, Fortbildungsklasse, Hochschule Fuer Musik, Munich, Germany, 1991
M.S. in Operations Research, “With Distinction,” Stanford University, 1993
M.S. in Engineering Economic Systems, Stanford University, 1994
Ph.D in Engineering Economic Systems and Operations Research, Stanford University, 1999 (Stanford Centennial Awardee)
Currently Vice-President, Citigroup, NYC, USA

MARIA JOCELYN PANGANIBAN-HANNETT
BSME, Cum Laude, Ateneo de Manila University
MBA, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
Currently Senior Vice-President, Treasurer and Controller, Plainfield Direct, Inc., Connecticut, USA

MARIA THERESA PANGANIBAN-MAÑALAC
BSME, Ateneo de Manila University
MBA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Currently Vice-President, Corporate Treasury, Automated Data Processing Corp., New Jersey, USA

MARIA EVELYN PANGANIBAN-REAGAN
John Kennedy High School, Waterbury, Connecticut, USA (top graduate)
BS-Biology, University of the Philippines
Courses in International Economics, University of Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
MA (Economics) ‘94, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Master in Public Policy ‘96, Harvard University
Currently Director, New York Life Investment Management, New York City, USA

7. CHAIRPERSON, Final Board of Judges of the following:

• 1998 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition (Philippine National Round)
• 1998 Metrobank Search for Outstanding Teachers
• 1998 TOYF (formerly TOYM), sponsored by the Philippine Jaycees, Gerry Roxas Foundation, TOYM Foundation and Equitable Bank
• 1998 Youth for Democracy Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and Rotary International
• 2000 Rotary Club of Manila Journalism Awards
• 2001 Anvil Awards, sponsored by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines
• 2001 Search for Outstanding Journalists, sponsored by the Asian Institute of Journalism and the Metrobank Foundation

• 2004 and 2005 Search for Outstanding Judges, Clerks of Court and other judicial officers, sponsored by the Supreme Court

8. PRESIDING OFFICER

• 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Awards

• 2007 The Outstanding Filipinos (TOFIL) Awards

9. SPORTS
Golf and tennis

10. CURRENT MEMBERSHIPS

• Manila Polo Club, Tagaytay Highlands Golf Club, Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Splendido Taal Golf Club, Villamor Golf Club, Rotary Club of Manila
• Special Minister of Holy Communion, Santuario de San Antonio Parish, Makati City
• Honorary Member, Consular Corps of the Philippines
• Honorary Member, Phi Kappa Phi International Honor Society, UP Chapter
• Honorary Member, San Beda Law Alumni Association
• “Adopted Son of Cebu” by the Cebu Provincial Government

• “Adopted Son of San Fernando” by the City Government of San Fernando (Pampanga)

11. PAST ACTIVITIES (prior to government service)

As a Practising Lawyer

SENIOR PARTNER, Panganiban Benitez Parlade Africa & Barinaga Law Office (PABLAW), 1963-1995
VICE PRESIDENT for Legal Affairs and GENERAL COUNSEL, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), 1991-1995
CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) 1991-1995
LEGAL COUNSEL, Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Association – MAPSA May 7, 1993 – October 9, 1995
CHAIRPERSON, Workshop on Administration of Justice, Multi-Sectoral Conference convened to discuss the first 100-day and first 1,000-day programs of President Fidel V. Ramos, held on June 13, 1992 and on October 17, 1992 respectively
SPEAKER, 16th Conference on the Law of the World sponsored by the World Jurist Association, October 24 to 29, 1993
PROFESSOR of law and political science, Far Eastern University, Assumption Convent and San Sebastian College (1961-1970)
PRESIDENT, FEU Law Faculty Club (1966-1967)
PRESIDENT, FEU Law Alumni Association (1986-1987)
CHAIRMAN, National Legal Committee, Boy Scouts of the Phils.(BSP) (1991-1992)
VICE-PRESIDENT, Legal Management Council of the Philippines (1976-1977)
CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL, Liberal Party (1987-1991)
LEGAL CONSULTANT to the Secretary of Education and to the National Board of Education of the Republic of the Philippines (1962-1965)
ASSOCIATE, Salonga Ordonez and Associates Law Office (1961-1963)

As a Catholic Lay Leader:

MEMBER, PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE LAITY, appointed by Pope John Paul II for a five-year term. During the 1996-2001 term, he was the only Filipino in this Council which was composed of 30 Catholic leaders, chosen by the Pope from various countries to advise him on “all matters involving the Christian life of the faithful.”
NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN (and CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), 1993-1995
SECRETARY, Council of the Laity of the Philippines (CLP), 1991-93
SERVANT LEADER, Bukas Loob Sa Diyos (BLD) Covenant Community and Chairman, BLD Foundation Inc., 1994-1995
LAY DELEGATE, Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II), January-February 1991
TRUSTEE, Alumni of Student Catholic Action (1989-90)

As a Civic Leader:

PRESIDENT, Rotary Club of Manila (First and largest Rotary Club in Asia) 1990-1991
PRESIDENT, Philippine-Finland Association (1991-1995)
PRESIDENT, RCM Eyebank Foundation, Inc. (1990-1995)
CHAIRMAN, National Union of Students Alumni Association (1991-1995)
CHAIRMAN, District Conference of Rotary District 3810 (Feb.28 – Mar. 1991)
TREASURER, 5th Philippine Rotary Presidents’ Meet, December 14-15, 1990

As a Business Leader:

PRESIDENT, Baron Travel Corporation (1967-1993), Arpan Tourism Industries Corporation (1974-1993), Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. (1991-1992)
PRESIDENT, Tourism Organization of the Philippines (1977-1986)
INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN, American Society of Travel Agents (first Asian to head ASTA International, the largest travel association in the world), 1985-1986
PRESIDENT, Philippine Society of Travel Agents (1974-1976) and Philippine Association of Tourist Transport Operators (1979-1987)
GOVERNOR, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), 1990-1994 and Chairman, MAP Management Man of the Year 1994 Award
VICE-PRESIDENT, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 1993-1995
MEMBER of the following organizations: Bishop-Businessmen’s Conference (BBC), Young Presidents’ Organizations (YPO) and SKAL Club of Manila
DIRECTOR, International Corporate Bank (then known as Continental Bank) which later merged with the Union Bank, 1972-1974
HONORARY CONSUL, Republic of Honduras (1981-1983).
CONSULTANT, World Tourism Organization (WTO), (1978-1981)
DIRECTOR and SECRETARY, Manila Polo Club (1990-1991)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, World University Service (1962-1965)

As a Youth Leader:

PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER, National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), (1958-1959)
PRESIDENT, FEU Central Student Organization (1957-1958)
PRESIDENT, FEU Student Catholic Action, 1960
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS KNIGHT, Kappa Gamma Phi Fraternity of University Scholars (1956-1957)
STAFF MEMBER, FEU Advocate (1955-1956) and FEU Green & Gold (1959-1960)

12. Major Awards

THE RENAISSANCE JURIST OF THE 21st CENTURY given by the Supreme Court of the Philippines during his retirement ceremonies on December 6, 2006
SILVER JUBILEE AWARDEE, Legal Management Council of the Philippines, 1990
OUTSTANDING MANILAN FOR 1991 given by the City of Manila
MOST OUTSTANDING LAW ALUMNUS FOR 1988 (sole awardee) given by the Far Eastern University Law Alumni Association on December 16, 1988
MOST OUTSTANDING PRACTISING LAWYER given by the Consumers’ Union of the Philippines on March 16, 1994
MOST DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS in the field of LAW given by the FEU ADVOCATE, official student newspaper of Far Eastern University, 1990
MOST OUTSTANDING SILVER JUBILARIAN, Mapa High School, 1979
BLUE FALCON Awardee, Mapa High School Alumni Association, 1993
GOLDEN HELM AWARD from the Senate of West Berlin and the Int’l. Association of Helmsmen, Berlin (1984)
MOST OUTSTANDING TOURISM PERSONALITY AWARD given by the Skal Club of Makati (1986)
FOUNDER’S AWARD, Philippine Travel Agencies Association (1990)
PRESIDENTIAL GAWAD AWARD given by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (City University of Manila), 1995
DR. NICANOR REYES, SR. MEDAL OF MERIT given by Far Eastern University, May 1, 1998
MEDAL OF HONOR, Angeles University Foundation, 1999
EMINENT AND DISTINGUISHED JURIST AWARD given by the Consumers’ Union of the Philippines, 2002
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, Far Eastern University, 1998
DIAMOND JUBILEE AWARD, Far Eastern University, 2003
ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR, Far Eastern University, 2006
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, FEU Law Alumni Association, 2006
NOBLESSE OBLIGE AWARD, Pasig Catholic College, 2007

13. IN RECOGNITION OF HIS ROLE AS A JURIST, LAWYER, CIVIC LEADER, CATHOLIC LAY WORKER, BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR AND YOUTH LEADER, he has also been the recipient of over 250 other awards from various governments, civic clubs, consumer associations, bar groups, religious movements and other non-government organizations, both local and international.

14. ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE JUDICIARY ON DECEMBER 6, 2006, HE RECEIVED A “PLAQUE OF ACCLAMATION” from the Supreme Court, which is as follows:

Republic of the Philippines
Supreme Court
Manila

THE ASSOCIATE JUSTICES
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE PHILIPPINES

are pleased to present this

Plaque of Acclamation

to

Mr. Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban
THE RENAISSANCE JURIST OF THE 21ST CENTURY

on the occasion of his retirement from the Court

• For triumphing over a hardscrabble childhood through sheer industry, innate intelligence and dogged determination to conquer poverty, finishing basic and intermediate school with honors, obtaining his associate in arts with highest honors and his law degree cum laude, landing sixth in the 1960 bar examinations and, later, receiving several honorary doctoral degrees

• For treasuring the value and role of the youth in nation-building, founding and heading the National Union of Students of the Philippines, then and still the biggest organization of students in the country, proving early on that “he could best the best from the elitist colleges and universities”

• For exhibiting leadership skills and aptitude in various capacities, “leapfrogging the social and economic barriers of Philippine society” by becoming a pioneer and leader in the country’s tourism industry, president of the oldest and most prestigious civic club in Asia, president of the country’s widest read newspaper, national vice-chairman and chief legal counsel of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting during the first presidential elections after the lifting of Martial Law and the restoration of democracy

• For glorifying God through service to others, from being a student Catholic leader to being among the first lay persons to participate in lawmaking in the Church as a delegate to the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines and to being named by the late Pope John Paul II to a seat in the Pontifical Council for the Laity for the 1996-2001 term

• For his unparalleled achievement in the highest court of the land, authoring around one thousand two hundred ponencias and a hundred separate opinions, not to mention the many thousand other resolutions he wrote to dispose of cases, plus a book each year, thus distinguishing himself as “the Court’s most prolific writer bar none”

• For the unflinching support he extended, as an associate justice, to the Court’s Action Program for Judicial Reform (APJR) initiated by Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr., in the process internationally projecting the Philippine judiciary as a bellwether and beacon in the area of judicial reform, particularly by successfully chairing the 2005 International Conference and Showcase on Judicial Reforms held on November 28-30, 2005

• For his well-deserved elevation to the chief justiceship, becoming the Republic’s 21 st Chief Justice, the first to be appointed in the 21 st century, on the 21 st day of December 2005, upon which he vowed to lead, as in fact he actually did lead, a judiciary characterized by independence, integrity, industry and intelligence

• For being a singleminded judicial reformist who focused on fighting the four “ACID” problems corroding justice in our country: (1) limited access to justice by the poor; (2) corruption; (3) incompetence; and (4) delay in the delivery of quality judgments; and on revitalizing the legal profession by cultivating competent and ethical lawyers

• For his apt recognition of all judicial personnel as the backbone of the judiciary, granting them maximum financial and fringe benefits allowed by law and within his discretion to give as the overall head of the Judicial Department of government; in turn asking from them only three things encapsulated in the code DHL: dedication to duty, honesty in every way, and full loyalty to the Supreme Court

• For his indomitable leadership of the Court through one of the most trying times in the nation’s history, when it heard and promptly decided an unprecedented number of landmark cases, demonstrating his core judicial philosophy of safeguarding the liberty and nurturing the prosperity of our people under the rule of law, thereby imbedding this philosophy in the nation’s legal lore and providing a springboard for intellectual discourse in the Global Forum on Liberty and Prosperity hosted by the Court on October 18-20, 2006, and participated in by great thinkers, judicial leaders, bar heads, civil society stalwarts, and policymakers from all over the world

Indeed, his watch as Chief Justice ushered a judicial renaissance, during which the Court set new and loftier standards for adjudication and reform. Through his exemplary devotion to his public duties and commitment to excellence and ethics, not to mention his unique and unquenchable zest for life, wisdom, wit, grace, and good humor, he leaves behind a Supreme Court and a judiciary whose independence, integrity, credibility, and prestige have attained record heights fully recognized nationally and globally. Now, therefore, in testimony of the foregoing, we his colleagues acclaim him as the 21st Century‘’s Renaissance Jurist

GIVEN at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court in the City of Manila, this sixth day of December Two Thousand and Six.

Plaque of Acclamation [.pdf file]

15. After his retirement from the judiciary, he was conferred an Award of Honor by the Philippine Bar Association on the occasion of its 116th Foundation Day Celebration on April 26, 2007. The Award honored him as “a principled and visionary leader by example; a prolific writer of the Supreme Court, bar none; a renaissance man and a nobly-souled and gifted jurist; a much sought-after speaker; a recipient of over 250 awards and citations from national and international entities and organizations, including several honorary doctoral degrees; an eminent lawyer, law professor, Catholic lay worker, civic leader and businessman; a scholar imbued with mental dexterity; and, an exemplary family man.”