Andres Narvasa
Encyclopedia
Andres dela Rosa Narvasa (born November 30, 1928) was the Chief Justice of the Philippines
from December 1, 1991 to November 30, 1998.
He served as Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform, a special agency tasked to look into potentially positive modifications in the Philippine Constitution, from 1999 to 2000.
.
Narvasa graduated elementary at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 1938 (salutatorian
), and secondary school at the Arellano High School, 1945 (valedictorian). He earned his Bachelor of Laws, University of Santo Tomas
, 1951 (magna cum laude), his Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, April 15, 1992, Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), University of Santo Tomas, November 21, 1992, and Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), Angeles University Foundation, April 1, 1993.
Narvasa graduated magna cum laude
from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, and placed second in the 1951 Philippine Bar Examinations, with a bar rating of 91.6%
Narvasa started as Law Practitioner in 1952, as Head, Andres R. Narvasa & Associates. He then became Professor of Law, 1952, Bar Reviewer, 1959, Legal Counsel, University of Santo Tomas, 1973, Dean, Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas, 1967–1973, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, University of Santo Tomas, 1969–1972, Member of the Board of Trustees, University of Santo Tomas, 1974 and President of the Faculty Club, University of Santo Tomas, 1969.
Narvasa was appointed as the general counsel for the Agrava Fact-finding Commission, formed by then President Ferdinand Marcos
and tasked to investigate the death of former senator and staunch Marcos critic Benigno Aquino, Jr.
. The Commission was chaired by former Philippine Court of Appeals
Associate Justice Corazon Juliano Agrava. As general counsel, Narvasa meticulously pieced together evidence to point out the military in the Aquino-Galman murders.
President Corazon Aquino
appointed Narvasa as Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court on April 10, 1986. Narvasa served as Associate Justice until his appointment as Chief Justice on December 1, 1991, also by President Aquino.
Narvasa administered the Oath of Office during the inagaurations of Philippine Presidents Fidel V. Ramos
and Joseph Ejercito Estrada
.
After his retirement in 1998, he was appointed by then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada to serve as Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform, an independent commission formed to study the basic charter and suggest potentially positive modifications. He served in this capacity from 1999 to 2000.
In November 2000, Narvasa became counsel for President Joseph Ejercito Estrada in his impeachment proceedings before the Philippine Senate.
, Raymundo, Gregorio II
, Socorro, Martin, and Regina. Narvasa's son, Andres, Jr.
, was once a coach in the Philippine Basketball Association for the now disbanded Shell team, and was NCAA's basketball commissioner in 2007. Another son, Gregorio II
, served as commissioner for both PBL and MBA, but now concentrates on practicing law. Narvasa and son, Gregorio, run the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar Law Office in partnership with Sigfrid A. Fortun and Roderick R.C. Salazar III.
Narvasa has since slowed down, and is currently enjoying life and spending time with his grandchildren: Viana, Carlo, Tong, Andrea, Coco, Alyssa, Robie, Sabrina, Alexine, Raymund, Gio, Aldo, Bea, Ysabela, and Patricia.
Award of Distinction, University of Santo Tomas, February 28. 1972
Award for Outstanding Achievements in Legal Education, Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas, September 2, 1981
Appreciation Certificate, UST College of Nursing, 1970
Certificate of Appreciation and Recognition, 1st Summer Seminar on Educational Management, University of Santo Tomas, May 1972
Appreciation Certificate, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, August 11, 1973
Plaque of Appreciation, Faculty Association of UST, October 18, 1978
Award for Meritorious Service, Faculty of Civil Law, September 2, 1981 & September 4, 1982
Plaque of Appreciation, 1953 Law Class of UST, March 26, 1983
Award as Most Outstanding Honor Graduate for 1983–1984 for exemplary public service, July 28, 1984
Plaque of Merit as Most Outstanding Alumnus of Faculty of Civil Law, UST Alumni Foundation, Inc., September 1, 1984
Papal Award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, May 1977
Human Rights Award, Concerned Women of the Philippines, December 9, 1984
Ninoy Aquino Movement for Freedom, Justice, Peace and Democracy of the United States of America, August 1985
Knight Grand Cross of Rizal, June 19, 1992
Outstanding Manilan ’93, 422nd Araw ng Maynila Executive Committee, June 24, 1993
Chief Justice of the Philippines
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines presides over the Supreme Court of the Philippines and is the highest judicial officer of the government of the Philippines...
from December 1, 1991 to November 30, 1998.
He served as Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform, a special agency tasked to look into potentially positive modifications in the Philippine Constitution, from 1999 to 2000.
Education
During his youth, Narvasa managed to excel in both academics and athletics. He was the captain of the University of Santo Tomas Intramural Basketball Team, as well as the top student of his class at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil LawUniversity of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law
The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
.
Narvasa graduated elementary at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 1938 (salutatorian
Salutatorian
Salutatorian is an academic title given, in the United States and Canada, to the second highest graduate of the entire graduating class of a specific discipline. Only the valedictorian is ranked higher. This honor is traditionally based on grade point average and number of credits taken, but...
), and secondary school at the Arellano High School, 1945 (valedictorian). He earned his Bachelor of Laws, University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
, 1951 (magna cum laude), his Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, April 15, 1992, Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), University of Santo Tomas, November 21, 1992, and Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), Angeles University Foundation, April 1, 1993.
Narvasa graduated magna cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, and placed second in the 1951 Philippine Bar Examinations, with a bar rating of 91.6%
Career
Narvasa taught at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. Soon, he became a full professor of law, and eventually Dean of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law|Faculty of Civil Law.Narvasa started as Law Practitioner in 1952, as Head, Andres R. Narvasa & Associates. He then became Professor of Law, 1952, Bar Reviewer, 1959, Legal Counsel, University of Santo Tomas, 1973, Dean, Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas, 1967–1973, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, University of Santo Tomas, 1969–1972, Member of the Board of Trustees, University of Santo Tomas, 1974 and President of the Faculty Club, University of Santo Tomas, 1969.
Narvasa was appointed as the general counsel for the Agrava Fact-finding Commission, formed by then President Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
and tasked to investigate the death of former senator and staunch Marcos critic Benigno Aquino, Jr.
Benigno Aquino, Jr.
Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. was a Filipino Senator and a former Governor of Tarlac. Aquino, together with Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga, formed the leadership of the opposition to the Marcos regime in the years leading to the imposition of martial law in the Philippines...
. The Commission was chaired by former Philippine Court of Appeals
Philippine Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
Associate Justice Corazon Juliano Agrava. As general counsel, Narvasa meticulously pieced together evidence to point out the military in the Aquino-Galman murders.
President Corazon Aquino
Corazon Aquino
Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the first woman to hold that office in Philippine history. She is best remembered for leading the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines...
appointed Narvasa as Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court on April 10, 1986. Narvasa served as Associate Justice until his appointment as Chief Justice on December 1, 1991, also by President Aquino.
Narvasa administered the Oath of Office during the inagaurations of Philippine Presidents Fidel V. Ramos
Fidel V. Ramos
Fidel "Eddie" Valdez Ramos , popularly known as FVR, was the 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. During his six years in office, Ramos was widely credited and admired by many for revitalizing and renewing international confidence in the Philippine economy.Prior to his election as...
and Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Joseph Estrada
Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada was the 13th President of the Philippines, serving from 1998 until 2001. Estrada was the first person in the Post-EDSA era to be elected both to the presidency and vice-presidency.Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over 100 films in...
.
After his retirement in 1998, he was appointed by then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada to serve as Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform, an independent commission formed to study the basic charter and suggest potentially positive modifications. He served in this capacity from 1999 to 2000.
In November 2000, Narvasa became counsel for President Joseph Ejercito Estrada in his impeachment proceedings before the Philippine Senate.
Closure of the Ninoy Aquino's Murder Case
On the 24th anniversary of the death of Benigno Aquino, Jr., Narvasa, 78, pleaded that Filipinos should close the book on the assassination of Aquino and that the 14 soldiers incarcerated should now be freed - “they have suffered enough;‘It’s finished. Since retiring, he plays golf twice a week, and enjoys being with his 15 grandchildren. He presently gives legal advice to ousted President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Narvasa considers the Ninoy murder, still a mystery.Private life
Married to Janina Yuseco, Narvasa has six children: Andres, Jr.Chito Narvasa
Andres Y. Narvasa, Jr., also known as Chito Narvasa, is a former Filipino basketball player and coach. He is the son of Andres Narvasa, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and Janina Yuseco. Narvasa coached the Purefoods and Shell teams in the Philippine Basketball...
, Raymundo, Gregorio II
Ogie Narvasa
Gregorio Y. Narvasa II, also known as Ogie Narvasa, is a Filipino lawyer. He is the son of Andres Narvasa, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and Janina Yuseco...
, Socorro, Martin, and Regina. Narvasa's son, Andres, Jr.
Chito Narvasa
Andres Y. Narvasa, Jr., also known as Chito Narvasa, is a former Filipino basketball player and coach. He is the son of Andres Narvasa, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and Janina Yuseco. Narvasa coached the Purefoods and Shell teams in the Philippine Basketball...
, was once a coach in the Philippine Basketball Association for the now disbanded Shell team, and was NCAA's basketball commissioner in 2007. Another son, Gregorio II
Ogie Narvasa
Gregorio Y. Narvasa II, also known as Ogie Narvasa, is a Filipino lawyer. He is the son of Andres Narvasa, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and Janina Yuseco...
, served as commissioner for both PBL and MBA, but now concentrates on practicing law. Narvasa and son, Gregorio, run the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar Law Office in partnership with Sigfrid A. Fortun and Roderick R.C. Salazar III.
Narvasa has since slowed down, and is currently enjoying life and spending time with his grandchildren: Viana, Carlo, Tong, Andrea, Coco, Alyssa, Robie, Sabrina, Alexine, Raymund, Gio, Aldo, Bea, Ysabela, and Patricia.
Awards
Narvasa received the following awards:Award of Distinction, University of Santo Tomas, February 28. 1972
Award for Outstanding Achievements in Legal Education, Faculty of Civil Law, University of Santo Tomas, September 2, 1981
Appreciation Certificate, UST College of Nursing, 1970
Certificate of Appreciation and Recognition, 1st Summer Seminar on Educational Management, University of Santo Tomas, May 1972
Appreciation Certificate, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, August 11, 1973
Plaque of Appreciation, Faculty Association of UST, October 18, 1978
Award for Meritorious Service, Faculty of Civil Law, September 2, 1981 & September 4, 1982
Plaque of Appreciation, 1953 Law Class of UST, March 26, 1983
Award as Most Outstanding Honor Graduate for 1983–1984 for exemplary public service, July 28, 1984
Plaque of Merit as Most Outstanding Alumnus of Faculty of Civil Law, UST Alumni Foundation, Inc., September 1, 1984
Papal Award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, May 1977
Human Rights Award, Concerned Women of the Philippines, December 9, 1984
Ninoy Aquino Movement for Freedom, Justice, Peace and Democracy of the United States of America, August 1985
Knight Grand Cross of Rizal, June 19, 1992
Outstanding Manilan ’93, 422nd Araw ng Maynila Executive Committee, June 24, 1993