Sereno extols Cuevas as ‘brilliant teacher,’ ‘erudite gentleman’

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 10 years ago

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno joins the country in mourning for the death of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas whom she called as a “brilliant teacher.”

In a statement Monday, Sereno said to many, especially the younger generations only know him by what they have witnessed him in action during the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona—a skilful lawyer.

“But I had the privilege of knowing him as a brilliant teacher at the University of the Philippines, from where he finished his law degree and where he first made a mark in many law students’ hearts and minds. His classes in remedial law were master classes and every student who sat through his classes, regardless of the grade they got, would have one conclusion: he was a brilliant teacher,” Sereno said.

“He was also an erudite gentleman of the old school, speaking always with his words distinctly enunciated and always preferring the elegant language of the law to the often crude lingo of contemporary society. Yet, he made a mark not only on students of my generation but, as the many messages of condolence from a much younger generation flood into social media sites would show, also on students of this generation. He had that certain quality of character that transcended generations,” Sereno added.

The high court has already ordered that the Philippine flag and the colors of the Supreme Court will fly at half-staff as a sign of mourning and respect. It will remain at half-staff until his burial.

Justice Cuevas, the 106^th justice of the Supreme Court, passed away early morning Monday. His body will be at the Sanctuarium in Quezon City and public viewing will start Tuesday at 12 p.m.