Teresita de Castro
Encyclopedia
Teresita Jose Leonardo-de Castro (born October 8, 1948) is an Associate Justice
of the Philippine Supreme Court
. Prior to her appointment to the High Court by President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
, she had been the Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan
.
. De Castro is married to businessman Eduardo A. De Castro. They have three children: Maria Cherell, Christine Genevive, and Edouard Anthony. Her half-brother, Eduardo L. Leonardo works as Executive Assistant VI, Sandiganbayan).
De Castro finished elementary (1960) and high school education (Valedictorian, 1964) at St. Paul College. De Castro earned her AB Political Science (cum laude, 1968) and Bachelor of Laws (1972) at the University of the Philippines (1979). She passed the Philippine Bar Examination
of November, 1972 with bar rating of 80.9%.
She started her judicial career as a law clerk, legal and judicial assistant in the Supreme Court of the Philippines,(1973–1978). She was appointed DOJ State Counsel I, II (1978–1985), and promoted to senior state counsel (1985–1987), supervising state counsel, and chief of legal staff (1988–1989). Before her Sandiganbayan appointment, De Castro was the state counsel V and chief of legal staff, DOJ (1989–1995).
De Castro is the incumbent Presiding Justice and Chairman, First Division, Sandiganbayan.
)
De Castro headed the anti-graft court’s special division on the perjury and plunder trial of former President Joseph Estrada
. Estrada's son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada
also faced charges. The long trial finished in September 2007. Estrada was acquitted of perjury charges but found guilty of plunder and sentenced to life imprisonment. All the co-defendants, including Senator Jinggoy Estrada, were acquitted of all charges.
Estrada appealed the decision and called the court (and De Castro, as head of it) "a kangaroo court," while President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
said the court's decision must be accepted.
De Castro was appointed to the Supreme Court soon after the end of this highly politicized trial. This led to some accusations of quid pro quo
. People claimed that she had convicted former President Estrada in exchange for a seat on the Supreme Court. She vigorously denied those rumors, claiming that she had been a candidate for a seat on the high court before her involvement in the case.
(JBC) announced the final nominees to the Associate Justice Cancio Garcia
's vacant Supreme Court of the Philippines
Associate Justice post. Teresita De Castro, Justices Edgardo Cruz and Martin Villarama, got 7 out of 8 votes, while Associate Justices Francisco Villaruz and Edilberto G. Sandoval and Labor Secretary Arturo D. Brion got 5 votes each (from the JBC). Under Philippine law, the President has 90 days to choose from among the final nominees.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada
(son of Joseph), vowed to block the appointment to the Supreme Court of Sandiganbayan Justices Teresita De Castro and Francisco Villaruz, Jr. (who convicted his father - President Joseph Estrada
). Jinggoy argued that: "Such a promotion would seem like a reward in exchange for the guilty verdict against the deposed President. We are convinced, then and now, that the special court created to exclusively try the case of President Estrada was established precisely to convict him, which is what exactly happened."
Teresita de Castro was sworn before Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno on December 4, 2007, at the Dignitaries Lounge of the Supreme Court building in Manila City. Teresita de Castro stated: "Everything happens in God's time. I believe that my 34 years of service in the judiciary and a good track record make me qualified for this position." Immediately after being sworn in, she participated in her first en banc session.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
An Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is one of 15 members of the Philippine Supreme Court, the highest court in the Philippines. The Chief Justice presides over the High Court, but carries only 1 of the 15 votes in the court...
of the Philippine Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
. Prior to her appointment to the High Court by President
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
, she had been the Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan
Sandiganbayan
The Sandiganbayan is a special court in the Philippines which was established under Presidential Decree No. 1606. Its rank is equivalent to the Court of Appeals. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
.
Profile
De Castro's parents are Fortunato R. Leonardo and Maxima Jose of Parañaque. Justice Teresita Jose Leonardo De Castro resides at Merville, Parañaque, Metro ManilaMetro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
. De Castro is married to businessman Eduardo A. De Castro. They have three children: Maria Cherell, Christine Genevive, and Edouard Anthony. Her half-brother, Eduardo L. Leonardo works as Executive Assistant VI, Sandiganbayan).
De Castro finished elementary (1960) and high school education (Valedictorian, 1964) at St. Paul College. De Castro earned her AB Political Science (cum laude, 1968) and Bachelor of Laws (1972) at the University of the Philippines (1979). She passed the Philippine Bar Examination
Philippine Bar Examination
The Philippine Bar Examination is the professional licensure examination for lawyers in the Philippines.It is the only professional licensure exam in the country that is not supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission...
of November, 1972 with bar rating of 80.9%.
She started her judicial career as a law clerk, legal and judicial assistant in the Supreme Court of the Philippines,(1973–1978). She was appointed DOJ State Counsel I, II (1978–1985), and promoted to senior state counsel (1985–1987), supervising state counsel, and chief of legal staff (1988–1989). Before her Sandiganbayan appointment, De Castro was the state counsel V and chief of legal staff, DOJ (1989–1995).
De Castro is the incumbent Presiding Justice and Chairman, First Division, Sandiganbayan.
The trial of Joseph Estrada
(see also Trial of Joseph EstradaTrial of Joseph Estrada
The trial of former Philippine president Joseph Estrada took place between 2001 and 2007 at the Sandiganbayan...
)
De Castro headed the anti-graft court’s special division on the perjury and plunder trial of former President Joseph 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...
. Estrada's son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada
Jinggoy Estrada
Jose Pimentel Ejercito, Jr. , better known as Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, is a Filipino politician and former film actor who has been a member of the Senate of the Philippines since 2004...
also faced charges. The long trial finished in September 2007. Estrada was acquitted of perjury charges but found guilty of plunder and sentenced to life imprisonment. All the co-defendants, including Senator Jinggoy Estrada, were acquitted of all charges.
Estrada appealed the decision and called the court (and De Castro, as head of it) "a kangaroo court," while President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
said the court's decision must be accepted.
De Castro was appointed to the Supreme Court soon after the end of this highly politicized trial. This led to some accusations of quid pro quo
Quid pro quo
Quid pro quo most often means a more-or-less equal exchange or substitution of goods or services. English speakers often use the term to mean "a favour for a favour" and the phrases with almost identical meaning include: "give and take", "tit for tat", "this for that", and "you scratch my back,...
. People claimed that she had convicted former President Estrada in exchange for a seat on the Supreme Court. She vigorously denied those rumors, claiming that she had been a candidate for a seat on the high court before her involvement in the case.
Appointment to the Supreme Court
On October 16, 2007, the Judicial and Bar CouncilJudicial and Bar Council
The Judicial and Bar Council of the Philippines is a constitutionally-created body that recommends appointees for vacancies that may arise in the composition of the Supreme Court and other lower courts.-Composition:...
(JBC) announced the final nominees to the Associate Justice Cancio Garcia
Cancio Garcia
Cancio C. Garcia is a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was appointed to the Court on October 6, 2004 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and retired on October 19, 2007.- Profile :...
's vacant Supreme Court of the Philippines
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
Associate Justice post. Teresita De Castro, Justices Edgardo Cruz and Martin Villarama, got 7 out of 8 votes, while Associate Justices Francisco Villaruz and Edilberto G. Sandoval and Labor Secretary Arturo D. Brion got 5 votes each (from the JBC). Under Philippine law, the President has 90 days to choose from among the final nominees.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada
Jinggoy Estrada
Jose Pimentel Ejercito, Jr. , better known as Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, is a Filipino politician and former film actor who has been a member of the Senate of the Philippines since 2004...
(son of Joseph), vowed to block the appointment to the Supreme Court of Sandiganbayan Justices Teresita De Castro and Francisco Villaruz, Jr. (who convicted his father - President Joseph 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...
). Jinggoy argued that: "Such a promotion would seem like a reward in exchange for the guilty verdict against the deposed President. We are convinced, then and now, that the special court created to exclusively try the case of President Estrada was established precisely to convict him, which is what exactly happened."
Teresita de Castro was sworn before Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno on December 4, 2007, at the Dignitaries Lounge of the Supreme Court building in Manila City. Teresita de Castro stated: "Everything happens in God's time. I believe that my 34 years of service in the judiciary and a good track record make me qualified for this position." Immediately after being sworn in, she participated in her first en banc session.
Reactions to her appointment to the Supreme Court
- Joseph EstradaJoseph EstradaJoseph "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...
called the appointment of Teresita de Castro as a “reward for an unjust conviction [of him]”.
- Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.Aquilino "Nene" Quilinging Pimentel, Jr. is a Filipino politician who served as the President of the Senate of the Philippines from 2000-2001.-Delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention:...
said: “That is the President’s call and I do not question it. Of course, other persons may have personal reasons for objecting to the appointment of Justice De Castro. But you cannot please everyone.”
- On December 4, 2007, Senate President Manuel Villar and Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy EstradaJinggoy EstradaJose Pimentel Ejercito, Jr. , better known as Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, is a Filipino politician and former film actor who has been a member of the Senate of the Philippines since 2004...
(the son of Joseph) questioned the timing of Teresita de Castro appointment. Villar stated that: “The appointment’s coming so soon after de Castro’s division had convicted former President Joseph Estrada is bad timing. It gives the impression that the appointment was her reward for convicting Erap [Estrada’s nickname].” Jinggoy Estrada said: “A few months after the conviction of President Estrada, she [de Castro] was immediately appointed as Supreme Court associate justice. I think there was a deal between Malacañang and Sandiganbayan that if she convicts President Erap, she would be appointed to the Supreme Court. That gave political color to the decision of Sandiganbayan. I think she is qualified to be an associate justice. It’s just that the timing is wrong. If I were Justice de Castro, I would have refused the appointment out of delicadeza [good taste]. It did not look good in the eyes of the public.”
- Sen. Richard GordonRichard GordonRichard Gordon may refer to:*Richard Gordon , English novelist, screenwriter and doctor*Richard Gordon , Jewish leader*Richard Gordon , American football player*Richard F. Gordon, Jr...
stated that "de Castro is highly qualified for the High Tribunal and that her appointment could not be interpreted as “reward” for her decision on the Erap plunder case. Malacañang had ignored the Sandiganbayan’s guilty verdict and granted absolute pardon to the former president."
- Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita defended the appointment of Teresita de Castro noting that she was nominated several times to the post but because she was still handling the Estrada case she was bypassed twice. He added that de Castro deserved the appointment.
- On December 9, 2007, Artemio PanganibanArtemio PanganibanArtemio V. Panganiban , "The Renaissance Jurist of the 21st Century" was the 21st Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Philippines.-Early life and education:...
stated: "Congratulations to new Supreme Court Justice Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro. Gutsy and brainy, she has chalked up an immaculate and impressive track record."
University and Law School
- AB Political Science: University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the PhilippinesThe ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
(cum laude, 1968) - Bachelor of Laws: University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the PhilippinesThe ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
(1972)
Training Courses
- Seminar on Loan Negotiation and Renegotiation (August 9 to September 5, 1986), International Law Institute, Washington D.C.
- Program of Instruction for Lawyers (June 11–21, 2004), Harvard Law SchoolHarvard Law SchoolHarvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
, Cambridge, Massachusetts - Seminar Judging Across Borders: Canadian Judges and International Law, (April 6–9, 2005), National Judicial Institute, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Other honors and qualifications
- Phi Kappa PhiPhi Kappa PhiThe Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is an honor society established 1897 to recognize and encourage superior scholarship without restriction as to area of study and to promote the "unity and democracy of education"...
International Honor Society; - Pi Gamma MuPi Gamma MuPi Gamma Mu or ΠΓΜ is the oldest and preeminent honor society in the social sciences. It is also the only interdisciplinary social science honor society. It serves the various social science disciplines which seek to understand and explain human behavior and social relationships as well as their...
International Honor Society in the Social Sciences; - Vice Chancellor and consistent Member, Order of the Purple Feather, UP College of Law Honor Society;
- Executive Vice-President, Philippine Women Judges Association;
- UP Sigma Alpha Sorority;
- UP College of Law, Portia Sorority and UP Women Lawyers Circle (WILOCI);
- Awarded University and College Scholarships at UP Diliman, Q.C.
Some notable opinions
- G.R. No. 180643, Romulo L. Neri Vs. Senate Committee, et al. (2008) - on the principle of executive privilege over Congress’ right to information
See also
- Supreme Court of the PhilippinesSupreme Court of the PhilippinesThe Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
- Trial of Joseph EstradaTrial of Joseph EstradaThe trial of former Philippine president Joseph Estrada took place between 2001 and 2007 at the Sandiganbayan...
- Neri vs. Senate Committee
External links
- Sandiganbayan – Official website