A Testimonial to Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio by Mario Biscocho

A testimonial lunch in honor of Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio was tendered in a Special Joint General Membership Meeting of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), Judicial Reform Institute (JRI), Makati Business Club (MBC), and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) last October 18, 2019 at the New World Hotel, Makati. It is a fitting tribute to the man who has been acknowledged as a steadfast defender of law and democracy. He was set to retire from the Supreme Court on October 26, 2019 as he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70.

First to give him a toast was former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, who worked with SAJ Carpio since the latter was appointed to the Supreme Court by then President Macapagal-Arroyo in January 2001. CJ Panganiban’s encounter with SAJ Carpio started in 1992 when the latter was appointed Chief Presidential Legal Counsel by ex-President Fidel Ramos. CJ Panganiban described his relationship with Carpio as “a very long one, at times testy, but always rooted in respect”. They would fundamentally agree on a lot of things but could go into heated debates when there were clashes of ideas and beliefs. But through their differences in opinions at times, the mutual respect remained intact.

In the eighteen years that SAJ Carpio served in the Supreme Court, he could have been appointed, or at least could have made known his intention to aspire for the highest position in the Supreme Court, and there were five such opportunities. The first was when former CJ Puno retired, but for reason of propriety, he declined the opportunity. The next opportunities — in fact, in the intervening periods he acted as Acting Chief Justice — were during the retirement or resignation (impeachment) of CJ’s Corona, Sereno, De Castro, and Bersamin. During the retirement of CJ Bersamin, the idea was even floated for SAJ Carpio to be the Chief Justice, an idea he shot down as he was nearing retirement and he didn’t want to be a “one-day” Chief Justice. He either turned down those opportunities out of propriety; or in one instance, he was not chosen by the appointing power. For SAJ Carpio, he was not attracted by the position and the powers that it carried. According to CJ Panganiban, titles and honors do not faze SAJ Carpio. What is important for Carpio is to be correct.
CJ Panganiban shared the good news that the Supreme Court unanimously passed a resolution to grant SAJ Carpio the privileges and benefits of a full Chief Justice upon his retirement, the first of such an act. Come to think of it, it is just a fitting farewell to the “best Chief Justice the Philippines never had”.

Next to give a toast was former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, who was a witness to how SAJ Carpio prepared long and hard to bring, argue, and finally win the case for the Philippines in its territorial claim of the West Philippine Sea. Del Rosario narrated their joint efforts to debunk the nine-dashed line, or the incredible claim of China that it owns the vast expanse of waters, including ours. They went on roadshows to different countries to educate people about the Philippines’ position. And they, together with some gritty Filipinos, were able to prove their point by winning the case at UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).

Secretary Del Rosario characterized SAJ Carpio as a person who devoted his life to patriotic services, and who dedicated himself to promote and protect our national interests. He added that Carpio is the staunchest defender of our maritime rights and entitlements. Carpio believes that our waters not only belong to us but to our children, and the children of our children. And he is a strong believer that a peaceful resolution can be achieved with the proper application of the international laws.
Retired Acting Chief Justice Carpio, who had left his office with no backlog in his docket, has committed to continue his advocacy — he will remain a strong defender of our Constitution, and he commits to being a strong defender of our Philippine waters. Even after retirement, he believes that a lot of things are still to be done. And we are hoping that he won’t quietly fade in the background, because we need an upright man and leader especially in these times.
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About the author:
Mario is the Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Executive Search and Selection Division, and HRD Consulting Division of John Clements Consultants, Inc. He has been with the company since 1986, initially handling sales and business development. Mario has also taken leadership positions in other John Clements business units: Professional Staffers and PT John Clements Indonesia.
Mario received his undergraduate degree in business management from the Ateneo de Manila University, and he has earned MBA units from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. He has attended numerous training and development programs, locally and internationally.

