Chief Justice candidates

The Judicial and Bar Council has nominated Justices Artemio Panganiban, Reynato Puno and Leonardo Quisumbing for appointment as Chief Justice. From all reports I have received, the three are definitely qualified jurists of the highest caliber.

Panganiban has a solid reputation for independence, integrity, probity and hard work. Aside from writing the most number of decisions, he has authored ten books, one for every year of his service in the Supreme Court. (In the words of his colleague, he is "undoubtedly the most prolific writer of the Court, bar none.") I have had the privilege of having read all ten and must say that being a good writer is one of his talents. Puno and Quisumbing, former editors-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, are also good writers who have equally distinguished themselves as good magistrates.

However, I think there are two good reasons why Justice Panganiban should be chosen now by President Arroyo as the next Chief Justice. First, being the oldest of the three nominees, he will retire ahead of the other two, who will therefore have their own opportunity afterwards.

Second and more important, Panganiban is a talented and natural leader. I have known him since his college days. He distinguished himself as the youngest president of the FEU Central Student Organization. Even then, his leadership was already recognized by other schools when he founded and headed the National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP). I should know. I was the adviser of NUSP at that time.

Despite his student leadership activities, Panganiban managed to be a bar topnotcher after graduating cum laude and "most outstanding student." Quite a scholastic feat for an activist student leader. Later, his leadership qualities punctuated all his law, business, civic and religious activities.

Again, he showed his outstanding leadership qualities last November, when he chaired the successful International Conference and Showcase on Judicial Reforms, attended by Chief Justices and other senior magistrates from 45 countries. One of the highlights was a unique video teleconferencing from five geographical points: Supreme Court justices from Washington (Sandra Day O’ Connor, Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer) and Makati (Chief Justices of the Philippines, Pakistan and Indonesia) dialogued with a panel of Filipino judges from Baguio, Cebu and Davao. It was expertly steered by Justice Panganiban, to the delight of the admiring international delegates. At the end of the conference, he was given a standing ovation.

Be it remembered that a Chief Justice must be not only a good jurist, but also a good and brilliant leader of the third branch of government. With his experience and background, Panganiban can easily carry on the much applauded reform program started by Chief Justice Davide.

In closing, let me cite this observation on justice by Daniel Webster: "Justice is the great interest of man on earth. It is the ligament which holds civilized beings and civilized nations together. Wherever her temple stands, and so long as it is duly honored, there is a foundation for social security, general happiness, and the improvement and progress of our race. And whoever labors on this edifice with usefulness and distinction, whoever clears its foundations, strengthens its pillars, adorns its entablatures, or contributes to raise its august dome still higher in the skies, connects himself, in name, and fame, and character, with that which is and must be as durable as the frame of human society."