Ex-Chief Justice Narvasa given full honors at Supreme Court

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Monday rendered full honors to departed former Chief Justice Andres Narvasa whom the justices have extolled for his humility and passion for judicial reforms.

Narvasa’s cremated remains were brought to the Supreme Court Monday morning to give current and former justices a chance to pay their last respects.

“I was a personal witness to the greatness of his heart and soul expressed through the eloquence of his demeanor and the nobility of his example. Never pompous and always approachable, he was nevertheless the embodiment of judicial dignity. He was never patronizing, but neither was he obsequious. He never attempted to curry favor of politicians and endeavoured to insulate the Court from their importuning…He had a passion for excellence to serve the Court, truth and justice,” retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. said.

Davide replaced Narvasa upon his retirement on Nov. 30, 1998. He was a colleague of Narvasa’s at the high court for seven years.

Davide said Narvasa’s passion drove him to create the Philippine Judicial Academy (Philja), the school for justices, judges, court personnel and lawyers aspiring for a judicial post.

In his speech, he told Narvasa’s family “do not grieve; rejoice, for Chief Justice Narvasa is now incorruptible and immortal. He is alive in our hearts.”

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, on the other hand described Narvasa as a “truly caring man” who was genuinely loved” by the court employees. She said Chief Justice’s Narvasa’s stay in the Court was “marked with peace and warm relationships” with the employees.

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In response, the Narvasa family, represented by Atty. Gregorio Narvasa II, thanked the Supreme Court for the honors it has rendered to the Narvasa patriarch.

He also shared with the Supreme Court a recorded compact disc of eight song tracks which Narvasa did for their mother Janina Yuseco. One of the songs, “Saan Ka Man Naroroon” was played during the eulogy.

Narvasa, who passed away last October 31, became the 112th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on April 11, 1986. He became the 19th Chief Justice of the Philippines from Dec. 1, 1991 to Nov. 30, 1998.

His cremated remains will be brought to their residence where they will hold vigil until Friday, November 8, when the cremated remains will be interred at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish Church, New Manila, in Quezon City.