Retired SC Associate Justice Nachura passes away

Former SC Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura. INQUIRER.net / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura passed away on Sunday, March 13. He was 80.

Nachura’s death was confirmed by the Supreme Court which also extended its condolences to the family of the late justice.

“The Supreme Court and the entire Judiciary join the loved ones of the late Hon. Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura in mourning his death,” said Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo in a statement Sunday.

“Justice Nachura will always be remembered as one of those few who served in the highest levels of all three branches of the government,” he added.

Nachura is survived by his wife Conchita Sison Nachura and children Hazel Annalou, Katherine Joy, Raymond, and Antonio Jr.

Justice Nachura served as an Associate Justice of the High Court from Feb. 7, 2007 to June 13, 2011.

According to the High Court,  Nachura disposed of about 1,690 cases and penned 640 full length decisions and resolutions, during his four-year stint.

He served as chairperson of the SC’s committee on Legal Education and Bar Matters,the Sub-Committee on the Revision of the Rules on Special Proceedings, and the Sub-Committee on the Internal Rules of the Supreme Court.

Nachura was the chairperson of the 2009 Bar Examinations Committee.

As the congressman representing Samar’s second congressional district, Nachura served as one of the prosecutors of the House of Representatives during the impeachment trial of former president Joseph Estrada,

He also served as the chief legal counsel of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and also served as solicitor general.

As a member of the House of Representatives, a post he held from 1988 until 2004, Nachura authored several bills that eventually became laws of the land.

Among these were the Securities Regulation Code, the National Service Training Program Act, and Republic Act 9227 which grants special allowances to the members of the judiciary.

He also served as the undersecretary of the Department of Education, as a solicitor general, and as a member of the House of Representatives for two terms where he served as chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education.

Meanwhile, Nachura’s family said details of the funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

“It is with immense grief and sorrow that we announce the passing of Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura (ret.) on 13 March 2022. While we know that those whose lives he touched wish to pay him respects immediately. We hope that, at this time, we can be given time to celebrate Justice Nachura’s life in private,” the family said in a statement.

“We will announce the details of the funeral arrangements at a later date. Until then, we thank you all for your continuing prayers for the eternal repose of his soul,” the family added.

The family did not provide other details on the death of the late justice who is a native of Catbalogan City in Samar.

/MUF