EDITOR’S

Note
I
n this issue of Benchmark, a lot of adjec ves will be used to describe re red Chief Jus ce Diosdado
M. Peralta. Words synonymous to “driven,” “hands-on,” “industrious,” ”wi y,” and “intelligent” will
o en be repeated in tributes wri en by colleagues and staff. Having seen Chief Jus ce Peralta in
ac on for more than a year, I can confirm that these words are truly descrip ve of him.

In an interview by Benchmark right a er his appointment as Chief Jus ce, he was asked what people
close to him might say about him that others may not know about. He replied: “People mistake me for being
bossy and not approachable. However, those close to me know that I am a kind and compassionate person.”

Indeed, I have witnessed this trait of Chief Jus ce Peralta several mes. This was in fact in full display
during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when he immediately issued memos and orders safeguarding
the health and safety of judges and court personnel while ensuring con nued access to jus ce by the
public. That is his compassion in display.

There was also one me (and the only me) that I saw Chief Jus ce Peralta become visibly and very
upset, so much so that he had to vent it out in anger. Nevertheless, the Chief Jus ce was irate not because
of a mistake commi ed by staff members, but because he was defending and protec ng them. That is how
protec ve Chief Jus ce Peralta is of his subordinates, and how his kindness is o en disguised in so many
ways.

Thank you very much, Chief Jus ce Peralta, for your dedica on, passion, and hard work. The Judiciary is
indeed lucky to have had you as its 26th Chief Jus ce. Godspeed, Chief!

A y. Brian Keith F. Hosaka

Editor-in-Chief

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2022 | THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SUPREME COURT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE | BENCHMARK 3
Farewell Message of the Honorable Chief Justice Diosdado Madarang
Peralta, delivered on the occasion of his retirement from
the Supreme Court of the Philippines, 25 March 2021

Honorable Jus ces of the Supreme Court of the Philippines;

Honorable Jus ces of the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, the Court of Tax Appeals;
Secretary Salvador Panelo, Chief Presiden al Legal Counsel;
Honorable Judges and Court officials;
Fellow workers in the Judiciary;
My family and friends;
Dis nguished guests, ladies and gentlemen—those who are present here and those who are joining us online:
A pleasant morning to all of you.

May it please the Court.

I am most grateful for your presence today, be it physical or virtual, and I am honored by the kind and generous words that
were said about me and my judicial career by my fellow magistrates. The fact that you went out of your way to a end today’s
Special En Banc Session, in spite of the limita ons posed by our current circumstances, humbles me to no end.

Tomorrow, a er one year and five months in office, I officially discharge my last du es and responsibili es as Chief Jus ce of
the Republic of the Philippines. As I prepare for that part of my life that waits for me beyond my career in the Judiciary, I cannot
help but to reflect on my life’s work, and feel a more than a bit modest amount of pride. That I am ending my government service
at the helm of the Judiciary and the Supreme Court is, to me, a recogni on not only of my achievements, but more so of my
industry and passion for my work.

When I was interviewed by the Judicial and Bar Council in connec on with my nomina on as 26th Chief Jus ce, I became
emo onal. As I was asked to say my par ng words, I let my guard down and opened up. I was not a Bar topnotcher or an honor
student, I said. That is the truth. Unlike most Chief Jus ces before me, I was not an academic standout. But I also said then that I
truly believed that the collec ve body of work that I did as a public prosecutor, as a judge, as an Associate Jus ce and as Presiding
Jus ce of the Sandiganbayan, and as Associate Jus ce of the Supreme Court was more than enough to compensate for that.

When I was conferred a Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa by the Tarlac State University last February, I said that my path as
a lawyer and as a public servant has taught me one thing: one’s success in life is directly propor onal to one’s industry and
dedica on to his or her work. And I say this from experience. One may be the most naturally talented individual, or the most
mentally astute person in his or her class. But without persistent, constant hard work and discipline, such talent or intellect will
amount to nothing. It will all amount to mere poten al. One must not only dream, but act on and work for that dream, too. You
can find talent everywhere, but it is only in those who have it in them to succeed in life that the value of hard work presents itself.

Consequently, by the me I was up for Chief Jus ceship, I knew that what I seemingly lacked in academic accomplishments,
I made up for with my determina on. The same holds true un l now. I am amongst my colleagues today as a member of the
Supreme Court because of the work ethic I developed and the genuine passion for my work which I nurtured in all my years of
serving both the private and the public sector. My life experiences have taught me that in life, the key to success is doing one’s
best in any undertaking one commits one’s self to.

I can say with all honesty that in all of my professional life, I have constantly put in honest and hard work in every task I have
been given. I have worked for a private company, been a full- me working student, served as a public prosecutor, taught in law
schools, sat as a trial court judge, and served as a magistrate of the an -gra court and of the High Court. Through the years, I
developed a solid work ethic and a genuine passion for my cra which made me realize that in life, no ma er the adversity one is
faced with, one must always persevere, no ma er his or her circumstances. A er all, there is no subs tute for hard work, except
harder work. Those who know me and who have worked with me can probably a est to the fact that once I commit myself to a
certain undertaking, I am almost always compelled to exert whatever effort is necessary to learn, to improve, and to be good at

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my work. This I do not just for my own benefit, but also for the
welfare of others.
Here in the Supreme Court, this mentality manifests in
being mindful that jus ce is not just some intangible concept
that is le to the discernment of the members of the Bench;
jus ce is something that must be felt firsthand by the people.
This authen c percep on of jus ce is something that only
those of us in the government can give the people. And we
need to give it to them swi ly and sensibly, as the strength of
the jus ce system can only be gauged in terms of the trust we
earn from the public.
It is because of this that I made it clear in October 2019
that I wanted my term as Chief Jus ce to be anchored on the
deconges on of court dockets, the adop on of reforms that
would streamline court procedures and processes, and the
promo on of a disciplined and responsive Judiciary. I thus
drew up my “Ten-Point-Program” for the Judiciary comprising
of judicial reforms that were focused on efficiency, integrity,
security, and service within the courts. To reiterate, these
reforms are: 1) the elimina on of the backlog of the Supreme
Court and all other courts; 2) the con nuous revision of
the Rules of Court and other procedural rules as well as
be er emphasis on skills-based training for judges and court
personnel; 3) the automa on of court processes and the
incorpora on of court technology in hearings and trials; 4) the
weeding out of misfits in the Judiciary; 5) the strengthening
of the Office of the Court Administrator so as to effec vely
address the concerns of the lower courts; 6) the improvement
of the security of our Jus ces, judges, and the Halls of Jus ce;
7) the se ng up of a 24/7 help desk in the Supreme Court; 8)
the monitoring of the performance of all courts as regards the
observa on of reglementary periods within which to resolve
pending incidents; 9) the improvement of procurement and
bidding processes in the Judiciary; and 10) the crea on of a
Strategic Planning and Management Unit under the Supreme
Court’s Program Management Office.
I am delighted to report that in just a year and a half’s
me—and in spite of the numerous challenges the courts
faced and are s ll facing because of the COVID-19 pandemic—
almost all of the items in my “Ten-Point Program” have
already been realized. The Supreme Court has made use of the
advantages of technology in the conduct of hearings and trials
na onwide through videoconferencing, e-Warrant, e-Filing,
and e-Payment, to name a few. We could not have predicted
how quickly we would see progress on some landmark
informa on and communica ons technology projects under
the Court’s Enterprise Informa on Systems Plan, or EISP. These
include the approval and the development of the Judiciary
ePayment Solu on and the deployment of Philippine Judiciary
365, a modern workplace solu on which is being u lized
as the official electronic communica ons pla orm of the
en re Judiciary in the receiving of pleadings and other court
submissions online, and in the conduct of videoconference
hearings. At this point, I am pleased to note that from May 4,
2020 to March 12, 2021, the total number of videoconference
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hearings conducted reached 222,767, with a success rate of
88%. This has also resulted in the release of at least 132,795
persons deprived of liberty from March 17, 2020 to March 19,
2021, or roughly one year.
Addi onally, the Court’s Commi ee on Computeriza on
has just submi ed to the Supreme Court En Banc for its study
and approval the eCourt Version 2.0 Project Plan. This is one
of the Court’s ini a ves which aims to u lize technology in
developing a unified, comprehensive, and intelligent case
management system for the en re Judiciary—from the first-
and second-level courts, all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Suffice it to say, we have turned this COVID crisis into an
opportunity for digital transforma on in the courts, and I am
confident the Judiciary will remain steadfast and engaged in
this area.
As regards the revisions and cra ing of rules, the Supreme
Court has formulated and approved a total of eighteen
(18) procedural rules and guidelines meant to improve the
administra on of jus ce. In turn, the Philippine Judicial
Academy has conducted the per nent workshops seminars
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to orient our Jus ces, judges, and court personnel as to the
salient features of these rules and guidelines. We have likewise
adopted mechanisms such as the Small Claims Monitoring
System and the Con nuous Trial Monitoring System in order
to determine the competence of our judges in resolving cases
within the Cons tu onal reglementary periods.
To receive, address, and monitor the complaints of court
users and the general public against the members of the
Bar and court personnel, the Supreme Court has established
the Judiciary Public Assistance Sec on, or JPAS, which, from
its incep on on December 9, 2019 up to March 15, 2021,
has received and acted upon a total of 8,680 inquiries and
concerns via email, le ers, phone calls and text messages, and
walk-in queries.
As a means to ba le the percep on and occurrence of
corrup on in the Judiciary, the Court has established the
Judicial Integrity Board to receive and act on administra ve
complaints against erring Jus ces, judges, and employees of
the Judiciary.
The Court has also streamlined the plan lla of its various
offices, divisions, and services in order to guarantee the
security of tenure and regulariza on of hundreds of long-
me casual employees, and created permanent procurement
offices in the courts to expedite the acquisi on of necessary
office supplies and services.
While there is no denying that the past year has been a
most difficult one for all of us, I am constrained to say that in
spite of the adversi es we are facing, this experience forces
us to tap into our inner strengths and show gra tude for our
blessings. It has forced us to do our best to align our personal
and professional interests with those of the people whom
we serve. When I spoke before the alumni of the Philippine
Military Academy last month as their guest of honor and
speaker, I emphasized that it is during these trying mes when
our work as public servants require much more from us—when
our commitment to protec ng the life and liber es of those in
need is necessarily tested by the unfamiliar circumstances we
are dealing with. Now, more than ever, we must work together
as the concept of na on-building takes on an unprecedented
meaning.
At this juncture, please allow me to acknowledge the
people who I have had the good fortune of crossing paths
with at one point or another in my life. They are those who
have supported and inspired me in the discharge of my sworn
du es and professional responsibili es.
My sincerest gra tude and apprecia on to my colleagues,
the Honorable Jus ces of the Supreme Court, re red and
incumbent, whom I have had the honor of working with
for the past 12 years. I thank you for the knowledge and
experiences I have gained from you all as we worked together
in the discharge of our administra ve and adjudica ve du es,
be it in our En Banc and Division delibera ons and in our
commi ee works. I will forever treasure the camaraderie, the
cerebral exchange, and the mutual respect that we have for
one another.
I thank the employees of the Supreme Court and of the
en re Judiciary, for the trust and confidence they have in me,
and for the privilege of working with and for them. Their hard
work and efforts in ensuring that access to judicial service
remains unhampered in spite of our circumstances have
always been sources of comfort for me.
Needless to say, I am very much grateful for the members
of the legal and the administra ve staff of the Office of the
Chief Jus ce, my second family, without whose assistance and
competence I would have had a most difficult me achieving
my plans for the Court. Special men on goes to my two
Chief Jus ce Staff Heads—the hardworking and dependable
A y. Ralph Jerome D. Salvador, and my daughter, the equally
hardworking and efficient A y. Dorothy L. Peralta—for assis ng
me in my day-to-day work, some mes even going above and
beyond the call of duty.
I also appreciate the full support and coopera on of the
Chiefs and Heads of the various Offices, Divisions, and Services
of the Supreme Court in the implementa on of my Ten-Point
Program, and in managing the concerns of the en re Judiciary.
My gra tude to the Office of the Court Administrator, led
by Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez and the Deputy
Court Administrators and Assistant Court Administrators,
for their invaluable help in the management of lower courts
na onwide and for their assistance in dra ing the administra ve
circulars meant to protect the safety and wellbeing of court
employees and court users especially during this public health
crisis.
To the En Banc Clerk of Court A y. Edgar O. Aricheta, the
Deputy Clerks of Court, and the Division Clerks of Court—my
hear elt apprecia on for their proper handling of adjudica ve
and administra ve Court ma ers.
I also would like to acknowledge the people I met and
worked with through my successive roles in public service:
the prosecutor’s office in my hometown of Laoag and here in
Manila; Branch 95 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City,
the Jus ces, officials, and employees of the Sandiganbayan,
and, of course, the men and women of the Supreme Court. It
was through the privilege of working with all of you that I was
inspired to spare no effort and work hard to excel in my chosen
path.
I am equally grateful to academic communi es of the
Colegio de San Juan de Letran and the University of Santo
Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. I would not be who and where I am
today if not for the educa onal groundwork and the values
ins lled in me by my alma maters. Both have been instrumental
in molding my a tude not only towards my work, but also
towards the people I work and interact with.
I extend my gra tude to Secretary Silvestre Bello, then
Undersecretary of Jus ce, who gave me the privilege and
honor to be assigned as a prosecutor in Manila, then known
to be a premier assignment for judges and prosecutors, and to
Senator Franklin M. Drilon, then the Secretary of Jus ce, who, in
spite of having hardly known me, recognizing my performance
as a prosecutor and recommending my promo on in the
prosecu on service to the Office of the President. Even a er
not having had any constant communica on with him, Senator
Drilon, as Vice Chairperson then of the Judicial and Bar Council,
strongly recommended me to the post of a Regional Trial Court
judge in Quezon City. In addi on, Senator Drilon, together
with his colleagues in the Senate, especially the Chairperson
of the Appropria ons Commi ee, showed full support for the
fiduciary needs of the Judiciary in all the budget hearings I
a ended from 2012 to 2020. Likewise, I express my deepest
gra tude to the members of the House of Representa ves, led
by its successive Speakers and its Appropria ons Commi ee,
for the early approval of our yearly budget.
To the late President Corazon C. Aquino, for the five (5)
appointments to different ranks that I received as public
prosecutor under her term, beginning as a prosecutor in
Laoag in 1987 then as a prosecutor in Manila from 1988 to
1994; to former President Fidel V. Ramos, for giving me the
chance to serve the Judiciary when he appointed me to the
Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, Branch 95, in September
1994; to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, for the
three presiden al appointments she extended me: as an
Associate Jus ce of the Sandiganbayan in June 2002, then as
its Presiding Jus ce in March 2008, un l my appointment in
January 2009 as an Associate Jus ce of the Supreme Court; and
to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, for having appointed me as
26th Chief Jus ce of the Philippines in October 2019, signifying
his trust and confidence in me in spite of my admission in my
JBC interview that I was neither a Bar topnotcher or an honor
student.
Recogni on goes to my former colleagues in the House of
Representa ves Electoral Tribunal (HRET), especially during
the Seventeenth (17th) Congress when I served as Chairperson
un l my appointment as Chief Jus ce. It was an excep onal
feat that the HRET was able to decide all protest and quo
warranto cases pending before the Tribunal before its term
ended in June 2019.
I also wish to thank the members of the Senate, especially
Senator Richard J. Gordon, Chairperson of the Senate
Jus ce and Human Rights Commi ee, and the House of
Representa ves, led by the Chairperson of its Commi ee on
Jus ce Congressman Vicente S.E. Veloso III, for their support
for the crea on of the Philippine Judicial Marshal Service,
and for the Court’s proposal to expand the jurisdic on of
first-level courts, with the goal of declogging the dockets of
the second-level courts and, eventually, the declogging of the
dockets of the Supreme Court. I understand that they are now
in the course of finishing the processes required for the bills’
presenta on in their plenary session.
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 Much gra tude also goes to the following:
To the Judicial and Bar Council: Hon. Menardo I. Guevarra of
the Department of Jus ce; Hon. Richard J. Gordon of the Senate
of the Philippines; Hon. Vicente S.E. Veloso III of the House
of Representa ves; Hon. Jose C. Mendoza, re red SC Jus ce,
represen ng the Re red Jus ce of the Supreme Court; Hon.
Toribio E. Ilao, Jr., represen ng the private sector; Hon. Noel G.
Tijam, re red SC Jus ce, represen ng the academe, and Hon.
Franklin J. Demonteverde, represen ng the Integrated Bar of
the Philippines, for the coopera on they extended during my
tenure as Ex Officio Chairperson, and for their prompt ac on in
the processing of nomina ons for the various posi ons in the
Judiciary;

To the Philippine Judicial Academy (PhilJA), led by the

excep onal Chancellor Adolfo S. Azcuna, for ins tu ng reforms
and organizing the various training programs intended to
develop the skills of judges and court personnel, thus helping
them expedite the conduct of trials and the resolu on of cases;

To the Judicial Integrity Board, led by its Chairperson,

re red Supreme Court Jus ce and PhilJA Vice Chancellor Hon.
Romeo S. Callejo, Sr., and its Vice Chairperson, re red Supreme
Court Jus ce Hon. Angelina Sandoval-Gu errez, for extending
their coopera on in the realiza on of the establishment of the
Court’s own an -corrup on body;
To the officers and members of the Supreme Court Ladies’
Circle, “The Heart of the Supreme Court,” led by its able
President, my wife, Jus ce Fernanda Lampas Peralta, for
being reless partners of the Court in providing support and
encouragement to its employees through its promo on of
mental health awareness, sponsorship of livelihood projects,
and conduct of mely social welfare ini a ves;
To the Jus ces, judges, prosecutors, private prac oners,
and government lawyers who served as members and resource
persons of the various Commi ees of the Court who I have
had the opportunity to work with, whose input and knowledge
contributed to the adop on and success of the Court’s
procedural reform and informa on technology projects;
To the development partners of the Supreme Court,
star ng with the Interna onal Ini a ve for Impact Evalua on,
the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian
Government, and the Innova ons for Poverty Ac on (IPA), for
their conduct and support of the impact evalua on of three
core reform projects of the Supreme Court: the eCourt Program,
the Revised Guidelines for Con nuous Trial of Criminal Cases,
and the Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases. Based on
the report they submi ed to the Supreme Court in September
2020, the Court was informed that the stakeholder judges
and clerks of court largely felt significant and unprecedented
improvement of court opera ons and the efficiency of court
processes with the implementa on of these three projects;
To the European Union, through the Governance in Jus ce
(GOJUST) Programme, for its valuable help in the fulfillment of
the Court’s judicial reform programs for the past several years;
To the United States Department of Jus ce Criminal Division,
through its Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development,
Assistance and Training, for its immense contribu on to the
Judiciary by helping enhance the jus ce sector’s capabili es
on cybercrime and counter-terrorism, among others, through
the conduct of training programs, seminars, and knowledge-
sharing ac vi es;
To the USAID, the American Bar Associa on – Rule of Law
Ini a ve, and The Asia Founda on, for their technical support
in the Judicial Strengthening to Increase Court Effec veness
(JUSTICE) Project which aimed to improve judicial efficiency
through court deconges on projects;
And to the United Na ons Development Programme
(UNDP), for its con nuing support to the reform ini a ves of
the Court.
Of course, I would like to recognize and honor my family,
star ng with my father, the late Judge Elviro Lazo Peralta, who I
had always admired and looked up to, and my mother, Catalina
Madarang Peralta, from whom I learned the value of self-
reliance. They taught me discipline and were the ones who
ins lled in me the value of hard work that is the founda on of
my en re professional career. I owe everything to them.
To my siblings: the late Franklin; my only sister Vissia Marie
and her husband, A y. Cornelio Aldon; and my youngest
brother, Vicente, a physician—they have always been my
sources of comfort.

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 To the wind beneath my wings: my lovely and brilliant wife,
the Honorable Fernanda Lampas Peralta, Associate Jus ce
of the Court of Appeals; my only daughter, A y. Dorothy;
my twin sons, John Christopher and Timothy John; and my
youngest, John Isaac. Behind every person’s success is the
love, understanding, and support of his or her family. I have
been very blessed in this aspect to have a suppor ve wife, who
is my partner in all my personal and professional undertakings,
and the love and understanding of our four children. All the
things I have accomplished and been given would amount to
nothing without them.
Lastly, I give my thanks to the Almighty God, the ul mate
source of all my strength and my passion to live and lead for
others. I pray that He will con nue to bless me and my family
in the years to come.
I will leave the Supreme Court without any regret, knowing
that I did all that I could for the law, for the courts, and for
the na on, and with the convic on that I did my best in
performing my bounden duty to the Cons tu on. I have faith
in the thought that I gave my all in giving the Filipino people
the kind of jus ce that they deserve.
Given every challenge and difficulty that the Judiciary faced
these past months, I believe I have done everything within
my authority as Chief Jus ce to leave behind me a be er and
improved Judiciary. I have led, and lived, by example. I look
forward to the world outside the Supreme Court with the
thought that, at my age, life is s ll full of possibili es.
Muli, maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.
May God bless us all.
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 SIGNIFICANT PONENCIAS OF
CHIEF JUSTICE DIOSDADO M. PERALTA
By the Legal Staff of the Office of the Chief Justice
I
n October 2019, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta took helm of the Judiciary. The
following year, the world was thrown into chaos as a consequence of the COVID-19
pandemic. As the nation contended with the deadly virus, Chief Justice Peralta left no
stone unturned in facing the situation head on. The Chief Justice, in consultation with
the other Justices of the Supreme Court, came out with timely guidelines and issuances
to address the health crisis.
At the same time, Chief Justice Peralta came out with ponencias
of judicial cases to add to his growing list of significant decisions
he had penned since he joined the Court as an Associate Justice
on January 13, 2009.
Below are some of Chief Justice Peralta’s significant ponencias.
1. Limkaichong v. Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
(G.R. Nos. 178831-32, April 1, 2009)
Jocelyn Limkaichong's proclamation as the winning candidate
for the position of Representative of the First District of Negros
Oriental was assailed on the ground that the same was tainted with
irregularity and thereby prevented the House of Representatives
Electoral Tribunal (HRET) from acquiring jurisdiction over the
election contest. The Court ruled that once a winning candidate
has been proclaimed, taken his or her oath, and assumed office
as a Member of the House of Representatives, the COMELEC’s
jurisdiction over election contests relating to his election, returns,
and disqualification ends and the HRET’s own jurisdiction begins.
Mere allegation as to the invalidity of the proclamation of the
winning candidate does not divest the HRET of its jurisdiction. The
Court held that the use of the word "sole" in Section 17, Article
VI of the Constitution and in Section 250 of the Omnibus Election
Code underscores the exclusivity of the Electoral Tribunals'
jurisdiction over election contests relating to its members.
2. Capalla v. COMELEC (G.R. No. 201112, June 13, 2012)
The Commission on Elections entered into a Contract for the
Provision of an Automated Election System for the May 10, 2010
Synchronized National and Local Elections (AES Contract) with
Smartmatic-TIM for the lease of goods and purchase of services
under the contract, with option to purchase (OTP) the goods.
The Court held that Smartmatic-TIM may unilaterally extend
the option period and the COMELEC can accept the extension.
The Court held that: “while the contract indeed specifically
required the COMELEC to notify Smartmatic-TIM of its OTP the
goods until December 31, 2010, a reading of the other provisions
of the AES contract would show that the parties are given the
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right to amend the contract which may include the period within
which to exercise the option. There is, likewise, no prohibition
on the extension of the period, provided that the contract is still
effective.” With the extension of the period, the COMELEC validly
exercised the option and eventually entered into a contract of
sale of the subject goods. Further, the Court held that: “the
amendment of the AES is not substantial because no additional
right was made available to Smartmatic-TIM that was not
previously available to the other bidders; except for the extension
of the option period, the exercise of the option was still subject
to same terms and conditions such as the purchase price and the
warranty provisions; and the amendment is more advantageous
to the Comelec and the public.”
3. Arroyo v. Department of Justice
(G.R. No. 199082, September 18, 2012)
The Court upheld the creation of the Joint Department of
Justice-Commission on Elections (DOJ-COMELEC) Preliminary
Investigation Committee and Fact-Finding Team for the purpose
of conducting a thorough investigation of the alleged massive
electoral fraud and the manipulation of election results in the
2004 and 2007 national elections relating in particular to the
presidential and senatorial elections. The Court ruled that under
the Omnibus Election Code, although the exclusive jurisdiction
to conduct preliminary investigation had been lodged with the
COMELEC, the prosecutors are given continuing authority by the
COMELEC to conduct preliminary investigation of complaints
involving election offenses under election laws and to prosecute
the same, to ensure the prompt and fair investigation and
prosecution of election offenses.
4. GMA Network v. COMELEC
(G.R. No. 205357, September 02, 2014)
The Court held that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
went beyond the authority granted it by the law in issuing
COMELEC Resolution No. 9615 as it affected a drastic reduction
of the allowable minutes within which candidates and political
parties would be able to campaign through the air. Moreover,

the Court found that Section 9 (a) of COMELEC Resolution No.
9615 on airtime limits goes against the constitutional guarantee
of freedom of expression, of speech and of the press, and of the
right to suffrage. The Court found the adoption to be unreasonable
and arbitrary as it unduly restricts and constrains the ability of
candidates and political parties to reach out and communicate with
the people. The Court further declared defective and ineffectual
Resolution No. 9615 for failing to conduct prior hearing before
coming up with, said Resolution, specifically in regard to the rule
on aggregate airtime.
5. Corpuz v. People (G.R. No. 180016, April 29, 2014)
The Supreme Court, faced with the issue of the constitutionality
of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) pertaining to the
crime of estafa and its corresponding penalties, contemplated on
the “perceived injustice brought about by the range of penalties
that the courts impose on crimes against property committed,
based on the amount of damage measured by the value of money
in 1932.” The Court found that whether or not the penalties
are excessive or amount to cruel punishment is a matter that
should be left to lawmakers. The Court further held that it is the
prerogative of the courts to apply the law, especially when they
are clear and not subject to any other interpretation than that
which is plainly written.
6. Del Socorro v. Van Wilsem
(G.R. No. 193707, December 10, 2014)
The issue in this case was whether the foreign national had
an obligation to support his minor child under the Philippine
law. The Court answered in the affirmative, ruling that in view of
respondent’s failure to prove the national law of the Netherlands
in his favor, the doctrine of processual presumption shall govern.
Under this doctrine, if the foreign law involved is not properly
pleaded and proved, our courts will presume that the foreign law
is the same as our local or domestic or internal law. Thus, since
the law of the Netherlands as regards the obligation to support
has not been properly pleaded and proved in the instant case, it is
presumed to be the same with Philippine law, which enforces the
obligation of parents to support their children and penalizing the
non-compliance therewith.
7. Cudia v. The Superintendent of the Philippine Military
Academy (G.R. No. 211362, February 24, 2015)
The Court affirmed the dismissal of Philippine Military Academy
(PMA) cadet Cudia. The Court ruled that while a PMA cadet has
the right to due process, the schools' power to instill discipline in
their students is subsumed in their academic freedom. Hence, the
PMA, as the primary training and educational institution of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, has the right to invoke academic
freedom in the enforcement of its internal rules and regulations.
It is not required that procedural due process be afforded at every
stage of developing disciplinary action. What is required is that
an adequate hearing be held before the final act of dismissing a
cadet from the military academy.
8. Dimakuta v. People (G.R. No. 206513, October 20, 2015)
The Court ruled that where the purpose of the appeal is not
to assail the judgment of conviction but to question only the
propriety of the sentence, particularly the penalty imposed or
the crime for which the accused was convicted, as the accused
intends to apply for probation upon correction of the penalty or
conviction for the lesser offense and the penalty finally imposed
by the appellate court is within the probationable period, or the
crime for which the accused is eventually convicted imposes a
probationable penalty, application for probation after the case is
remanded to the trial court for execution should be allowed.
The Court primarily highlighted the history of the law on
probation so as to determine the intent of its framers as regards
its application. Emphasizing that it should refrain from treading
on the realm of judicial legislation in interpreting and applying
the Probation Law, the Court said that Section 4 of the Probation
Law was amended precisely to stop the practice of appealing from
judgments of conviction even if the sentence is probationable, for
the purpose of obtaining a judgment of acquittal and applying for
probation only after the accused fails in his or her bid.
9. Ocampo v. Enriquez (G.R. No. 225973, November 8, 2016)
Anent the substantive grounds, the Court held that the
President's decision to bury Marcos at the Libingan Ng Mga
Bayani (LNMB) is in accordance with the Constitution, the law
or jurisprudence. The Court further ruled that the President's
decision to bury Marcos at the LNMB is not done whimsically,
capriciously, or arbitrarily, out of malice, ill will or personal bias.
The Court held that: the LNMB is considered as a national shrine
for military memorials. The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office,
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which is empowered to administer, develop, and maintain military
shrines, is under the supervision and control of the Department
of the National Defense (DND). The DND, in turn, is under the
Office of the President. The presidential power of control over the
Executive Branch of Government is a self-executing provision of
the Constitution and does not require statutory implementation,
nor may its exercise be limited, much less withdrawn, by the
legislature. This is why President Duterte is not bound by the
alleged 1992 Agreement between former President Ramos and
the Marcos family to have the remains of Marcos interred in
Batac, Ilocos Norte. As the incumbent President, he is free to
amend, revoke or rescind political agreements entered into by
his predecessors, and to determine policies which he considers,
based on informed judgment and presumed wisdom, will be most
effective in carrying out his mandate.” The Court maintained that
there is no law or executive issuance specifically excluding the
land in which the LNMB is located from the use it was originally
intended by the past Presidents. Moreover, the Court held that the
allotment of a cemetery plot at the LNMB for Marcos as a former
President and Commander-in-Chief, a legislator, a Secretary of
National Defense, a military personnel, a veteran, and a Medal of
Valor awardee, whether recognizing his contributions or simply
his status as such, satisfies the public use requirement. Aside from
being eligible for burial at the LNMB, the Court ruled that Marcos
possessed none of the disqualifications stated in the applicable
Armed Forces of the Philippines regulation.
10. People v. Jugueta (G.R. No. 202124, April 5, 2016)
The Court surveyed the jurisprudence in criminal cases where
civil indemnity, moral, exemplary, and nominal damages were
awarded, and summarized the prevailing amounts that may be
awarded depending on the nature of the crimes proven, the
presence of modifying circumstances, and the stage of their
commission, without need of further proof of such damages.
11. Estipona v. Lobrigo (G.R. No. 226679, August 15, 2017)
Challenged in this case is the constitutionality of Section 23
of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act of 2002, which provides that any person charged
under any of its provisions shall not be allowed to avail of the
provision on plea-bargaining. Emphasizing that plea bargaining is
a rule of procedure, the Court declared Section 23 of Republic
Act No. 9165 unconstitutional for being contrary to the rule-
making authority of the Supreme Court under Section 5 (5),
Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution. The Court, stressing that its
authority under the Constitution to promulgate rules on pleading,
practice, and procedure is exclusive and one of the safeguards
of its institutional independence, ruled that plea bargaining is a
rule of procedure and is, thus, under its sole prerogative to issue,
amend, or repeal procedural rules, limited to the preservation of
substantive rights.
12. Hernan v. Sandiganbayan
(G.R. No. 217874, December 5, 2017)
The judgment convicting the accused-petitioner has already
become final and executory. However, the penalty imposed
thereon has been reduced by virtue of the passage of R.A. No.
10951 (An Act Adjusting the Amount Involved, Value of Property
or Damage on Which a Penalty Is Based, and the Fines Under
Act No. 3815, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the Revised
Penal Code). Thus, in order to effectively avoid any injustice that
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petitioner may suffer as well as a possible multiplicity of suits
arising therefrom, the Court deemed it proper to reopen the case,
not for further reception of evidence, but in order to modify the
penalty imposed by the trial court. The Court further held that:
“not only must petitioner's sentence be modified respecting the
settled rule on the retroactive effectivity of laws, the sentencing
being favorable to the accused, she may even apply for probation,
as long as she does not possess any ground for disqualification,
in view of recent legislation on probation, allowing an accused
to apply for probation in the event that she is sentenced to serve
a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than six (6) years
when a judgment of conviction imposing a non-probationable
penalty is appealed or reviewed, and such judgment is modified
through the imposition of a probationable penalty.” Had there
been no guidelines for judges, the remedy of those serving
sentences could have only been through petitions for habeas
corpus in order for them to be released from detention, but to do
so, the judges would have to first amend the decisions where they
may refuse to do so, on the ground of lack of authority.
As a direct offshoot of its pronouncements in Estipona,
the Court, through the Office of the Court Administrator, after
consultations with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the
Public Attorney’s Office, prosecutors, and judges, issued A.M. No.
18-03-16-SC on April 10, 2018, which provided for the adoption of
the Plea Bargaining Framework in Drugs Cases.
13. Republic v. Manalo (G.R. No. 221029, April 24, 2018)
Respondent Manalo filed a petition for cancellation of entry of
marriage before the local civil registrar by virtue of a judgment of
divorce of a Japanese court. The Court, citing jurisprudence, held
that Article 26 of the Family Code of the Philippines is applicable
even if it was Manalo, a Filipino, who filed for divorce against her
Japanese husband. Nonetheless, the Court held that the Japanese
law on divorce must still be proved – notwithstanding the fact that
the existence of the divorce decree was not denied by the Office
of the Solicitor General; neither was the jurisdiction of the divorce
court impeached nor the validity of its proceedings challenged.
Thus, the Court remanded the case for further proceedings and
reception of evidence as to the relevant Japanese law on divorce.
14. People v. Lim (G.R. No. 231989, September 4, 2018)
The Court, in order that cases are properly filed and to save
such cases from acquittal when the same should have resulted in
convictions, required peace officers to indicate in their affidavits
of arrest their compliance with Section 21, R.A. No. 9165, to be
attached to the information before it is filed before the court. This
requirement is prospective in nature and if this is not complied
with, the case may be dismissed without prejudice on the ground
of lack of probable cause, in accordance with Rule 112, Section 5
of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, which means that it can be re-
filed if the ground for the dismissal is the absence of the statement
in the affidavits of arrest of compliance with Section 21 of R.A. No.
9165, by simply executing a supplemental affidavit. In fact, the
requirement works two ways: (1) cases before they are filed are
properly built up; and (2) the accused can intelligently prepare for
his or her defense prior to trial. With this procedure, the pieces
of evidence presented during the trial will now be easier for the
courts to assess and eventually result to early resolution of drug
cases, thereby affording the accused its constitutional right to a
speedy disposition of its case.
15. People v. Tulagan (G.R. No. 227363, March 12, 2019)
The Court took the opportunity to reconcile the provisions on
Acts of Lasciviousness, Rape and Sexual Assault under the Revised
Penal Code (RPC), as amended by R.A. No. 8353 vis-a-vis Sexual
Intercourse and Lascivious Conduct under Section 5(b) of R.A. No.
7610, to fortify the earlier decisions of the Court and doctrines
laid down on similar issues, and to clarify the nomenclature and
the imposable penalties of said crimes, and damages in line with
existing jurisprudence. The Court upheld Tulagan’s prosecution
for sexual assault under paragraph 2, Article 266-A of the RPC
because it was alleged and proven that the victim was nine
(9) years old at the time he inserted his finger into her vagina.
Instead of applying the penalty under Article 266-B of the RPC,
the Court applied the penalty provided in Section 5 (b), Article III
of R.A. No. 7610. This is because the victim was below 12 years
of age at the time of the commission of the offense, and that the
act of inserting his finger in the victim’s private part undeniably
amounted to "lascivious conduct." Thus, the Court held that the
proper nomenclature of the offense should be Sexual Assault
under paragraph 2, Article 266-A of the RPC, in relation to Section
5 (b), Article III of R.A. No. 7610.
16. Inmates of the New Bilibid Prison v. De Lima
(G.R. No. 212719, June 25, 2019)
In this case, the Court declared Section 4, Rule 1 of the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10592
invalid insofar as it provided for the prospective application of
the grant of good conduct time allowance, time allowance for
study, teaching and mentoring, and special time allowance for
loyalty. The Court held that: “while R.A. No. 10592 does not
define a crime/offense or provide/prescribe/establish a penalty
as it addresses the rehabilitation component of our correctional
system, its provisions have the purpose and effect of diminishing
the punishment attached to the crime. The further reduction
on the length of the penalty of imprisonment is beneficial to
the detention and convicted prisoners alike; hence, calls for the
application of Article 22 of the RPC.”
17. Araza v. People (G.R. No. 247429, September 8, 2020)
The Court upheld the conviction of Araza under Section 5(i)
of R.A. No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their
Children Act of 2004, for his act of committing marital infidelity.
The Court ruled that the marital infidelity, which is a form of
psychological violence, is the proximate cause of his wife’s
emotional anguish and mental suffering. The Court held that the
prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that Araza
committed the crime of psychological violence, punishable under
Section 5(i) of RA 9262, through his acts of marital infidelity.
18. In the Matter of the Petition for Writ of Amparo and Writ
of Habeas Corpus in favor of Alicia Jasper S. Lucena (G.R. No.
252120, September 15, 2020)
The Court denied the petition for writ of amparo filed by the
parents of Alicia Jasper S. Lucena (AJ), finding that AJ’s situation
did not qualify either as an actual or threatened enforced
disappearance or extralegal killing since AJ was not missing and
her whereabouts were determinable. The Court held that: “By
all accounts, she is staying with the Anakbayan and its officers
which, at least insofar as AJ’s case is concerned, are not agents or
organizations acting on behalf of the State.” Likewise, the Court
denied the petition for writ of habeas corpus because it did not
at all appear that AJ had been deprived of her liberty or that
petitioners had been excluded from their rightful custody over
the person of AJ. The Court ruled that since 19-year-old AJ had
already attained the age of majority, legally, she had the right
to make independent choices with respect to the places where
she wanted to stay, as well as to the persons whose company she
wanted to keep.
19. Metro Manila Development Authority v. Concerned Residents
of Manila Bay (G.R. Nos. 171947-48, November 17, 2020)
Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party filed a motion for leave to
intervene on the ground that the latter’s installation of an artificial
white beach on a small strip of the Manila Bay is a violation of
the writ of continuing mandamus for the sustained clean-up and
maintenance of the subject bay and its waters. The Court ruled
that a motion for intervention same is not viable where, the case
has long been concluded with finality and is now on execution
albeit still under judicial supervision. The Court further held
that: “the instant recourse is a challenge to the wisdom behind
the use of the component dolomite, which is a factual issue not
ordinarily entertained by the Court – certainly not in the present
motion. It is a challenge that properly lies in the realm of political
questions which the Court may not venture into even incidentally
in a contempt proceeding under the given circumstances.”
20. Taguiwalo v. Duque III (G.R. No. 252556, September 1, 2020)
Petitioners sought to compel the government, through the
Department of Health, and agencies involved in addressing the
COVID-19 pandemic, to conduct proactive mass testing, efficient
contact tracing and isolation, and effective treatment of positive
cases. The Court found that essentially, petitioners want the Court
to direct respondents not merely to protect their right to health,
but to protect said right in a certain manner or to a certain degree,
i.e., “more proactively and efficiently.” The Court observed that
mandamus will not lie to compel to exercise said protection in
a certain way or to a certain degree. Further, the Court held
that petitioners failed to exhaust administrative remedies to the
government offices which respondents represent. Further, the
Court held that the term “official acts” is not so encompassing as
to include every response and pronouncement of respondents,
contrary to petitioners’ view that the facts involved in this case
are of judicial notice since they are allegedly “official acts of the
Executive Department.”
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 JUDICIAL TRIBUTES
TO THE 26TH CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Compiled by Tiffany Ines C. Atendido-Beltran
CHIEF JUSTICE ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDO*
CJ Dado is a valued colleague. He spreads
good cheer in any gathering as his wit and humor
are infectious.
CJ Peralta has attained rock-star status as
learned in law. He is sought-after as a lecturer
and speaker on various legal topics. His ability to
impart not only the knowledge of the law but also skills on how
to conduct effective pre-trial and trial are truly remarkable. His
writings are a cultural force: they wield the law as an instrument
of social justice and equality, particularly in area of criminal and
procedure laws.
As a colleague, CJ Peralta has the capacity to listen and
respect differing opinions. He understands that it is only through
discourse that the most brilliant idea emerges. As a leader, he
fosters collaboration and strives for consensus. He understands
that the Judiciary is an institution that stands above any individual
member.
*Hon. Alexander G. Gesmundo was appointed Chief Justice on April
5, 2021.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
ESTELA M. PERLAS BERNABE
It has been said that the ultimate measure
of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands in
times of challenge and controversy. Chief Justice
Diosdado M. Peralta has not even warmed his
seat when he, along with all other leaders the
world over, had to face an unprecedented crisis that profoundly
impacted just about every organization, business community and
government entity. Indeed, the Covid-19 pandemic has been an
ultimate leadership test, which Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta
has passed with flying colors.
Under Chief Justice Peralta’s watchful eyes, the wheels of
justice continued to grind even as most businesses and other
government operations had come to an abrupt stop. Owing in
large part to his lifelong advocacy of just and speedy disposition
of cases, Chief Justice Peralta made sure that Justices, Judges and
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court employees continued to perform their duties even in times
when courts had to be physically closed. By maximizing the use
of technological advancements, he paved the way for successful
virtual court hearings that resolved a significant number of cases
and released a remarkable number of persons deprived of liberty
who would have otherwise been highly susceptible to a fatal
infection.
The entire Judiciary is, undoubtedly, grateful to Chief Justice
Peralta for all the innovative means he employed to adapt
to the new normal in dispensing justice while giving utmost
consideration to the health and safety of all court personnel.
Court officials who have worked closely with him throughout the
quarantine period testify to how Chief Justice Peralta tirelessly
monitored all courts, and swiftly addressed myriad concerns.
Truly, his able leadership allowed the Judiciary to overcome the
many challenges unscathed.
As he leaves the Court to focus on teaching, which he calls
his lifelong passion, it is hoped that the fire that fueled Chief
Justice Peralta’s work on reforms that simplify court procedures
and processes will continue to burn, this time for molding the
character of present and future lawyers. As an American historian
once said, teachers affect eternity; and no one can tell where their
influence stops. The impact that Chief Justice Peralta has made,
and continues to make, on his students will be a lasting legacy, just
as the procedural rules he has championed are to the Judiciary.
God speed, Chief Justice.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE MARVIC M.V.F. LEONEN
Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta has been
a member of the Supreme Court for over a
decade. Prior to his stint at this Court, he began
his career in government service as Laoag City’s
Third Assistant City Fiscal in 1987, paving way
for the great mark that he has successfully left
in the years to come. Within the 12 years that he
has been a member of this Court, primarily through the opinions
and ponencias he has contributed, Chief Justice Peralta flourished
and made his way to the top, becoming a pillar of excellence in
the Judiciary.
 I first became colleagues with Chief Justice Diosdado M.
Peralta in 2012, which happened to be his third year as an
Associate Justice of this Court. Within the 9 years that I have
worked with him, I came to know his greatest suits, one of
them being his ability to remain fair-minded towards voices of
dissent. Moreover, in the years that he and I were members of
the same Division, I witnessed his expertise in criminal law––the
same expertise that he generously shared and imparted to his
colleagues, including myself, during deliberations.
With these feats, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta has
evidently conquered the legal field. It goes without saying that I,
along with the rest of our colleagues in this Court, deem working
with the Chief as a privilege; and with great esteem, at that.
As he hangs his robe as the 26th Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of the Philippines, may he know that he has left a mark
not only in this Court, but on the people that he has worked
with as well. With his term as the Chief Justice coming to an end,
it is worth mentioning that his was a run that was done with
excellence, a remark that I am certain our other colleagues can
attest to as well.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
ALFREDO BENJAMIN S. CAGUIOA
As a member of the Court who esteems not
just a colleague but also a friend, I consider his
retirement bittersweet. I have always admired
his extremely efficient work ethic and I have
long respected him as an expert in criminal and
remedial law, among many other fields. It is my
good fortune to serve as his working chair at the First Division.
Chief Justice Peralta is a pleasure to work with – open-
minded, competent, hard-working, generous, and kind, as he is
quite prolific in the swift and authoritative disposition of cases,
a true model for all Justices and judges. Of course, nothing less
was expected of Chief Justice Peralta, who has consistently been
recognized as an outstanding public servant throughout his
career, from his early days as a prosecutor and trial court judge
to his many remarkable years as an Associate Justice and later
Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan.
Like most good leaders, Chief Justice Peralta is a person with
a vision. The more rare quality perhaps reserved for only great
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leaders is the commitment and ability to see this vision through.
He promised to continuously improve and streamline the rules of
procedure to make it more accessible to the needs of all court-
users. Chief Justice Peralta has delivered in spades. Through his
contributions and initiatives and/or under his leadership, the
Court released the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases,
the Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases, the
2019 Amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Rules
on Evidence, the 2020 Revised Rules of Procedure for Intellectual
Property Rights Cases, and the 2020 Guidelines for the Conduct
of Court-Annexed Mediation and Judicial Dispute Resolution, to
name a few. Out of his desire to bring the courts closer to the
people he also set up the Judiciary Public Assistance Section or
the Judiciary Help Desk.
The present pandemic has drastically disrupted court
operations and crucial judicial services – it has forced the Court
to swiftly adapt to unprecedented challenges, revamp established
practices, and come up with new and safe ways for the courts to
continue to perform its duties. Chief Justice Peralta has more than
risen to the occasion and has done an excellent job in leading
the Court and the entire legal profession through this institutional
and collective ordeal.
With all the above qualities that Chief Justice Peralta has
shown, I will surely miss his brand of leadership and erudite voice
at our Court sessions. I console myself by simply recognizing that
he will finally be able to rest, relax, spend time with his family,
and pursue his other passions.
Congratulations on finally retiring from a truly extraordinary
career! See you around dear friend, and Godspeed always.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
RAMON PAUL L. HERNANDO
Destiny is said to be the inescapable driver
of human lives. We often subscribe to the
convenient theory of what is “meant to be”, a
form of external control that is wielded entirely
by the discretion of somebody else other than
our own. Regardless of one’s initial aspirations,
many a person end up going with the flow, throwing caution
to the wind, and relying on the famous mantra, “bahala na si
Batman.” Such is not the case for Chief Justice Peralta, for our
eminent retiree is his own Batman. He paved an admirable path
for himself, steadily mounting the ranks, and ultimately achieving
primus inter pares in our nation’s Supreme Court. While he was
definitely fated for judicial renown, his accomplishments can
never be deemed as by-products of mere matters of chance.
The Prosecutor’s Office served as the starting line for the Chief
in his career in government service. He was Assistant City Fiscal of
Laoag City in 1987 until he was assigned to Manila in 1988. In 1994,
he was promoted as Assistant Chief of the Investigation Division
of the Office of the City Prosecutor. He later seamlessly shifted
roles in the courts from litigator to magistrate: first, as a judge in
the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City in 1994; then, as Associate
Justice of the Sandiganbayan in 2002 and as its Presiding Justice
in 2008; eventually, as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in
2009. Ten years thereafter, on October 23, 2019, he became Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court.
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Rightful accolades and distinctions followed him consistently
from the bar to the bench, primarily on account of his notable
contributions to the speedy disposition of criminal cases. His
work is by no means trivial. With court dockets plagued by
inefficiencies and the rules of procedure mocked by techniques of
legal circumvention, Chief Justice Peralta pursued and frustrated
its ardent culprits. Not only did he know what and who must be
weeded out, he did weed them out. Discussion without active
resolution is absolutely pointless for this man of action.
I hold a sizeable amount of pride and privilege of having
served the Filipino public alongside Chief Justice Peralta. He lit
the brightest of my professional torches when I took my oath as
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court before him. I also cherish
a warm, perpetual feeling of elation of having him as a Ninong in
our wedding. Chief Justice Peralta has always been a family man,
a model of superb parenting, and an icon of what it is to be a good
husband. His guidance, to me, was significant in my professional
and personal journeys, for which I express my most profound
gratitude.
Chief Justice Peralta valued hard work above everything.
Perhaps that is his most palpable legacy – to do what you can,
all that you can, and sometimes, even if you cannot. Destiny may
have pulled him up to the topmost position in the highest Court,
but his purposeful dedication to legal reform is the rope that
bound him to all the successes that he had deservedly achieved.
A good retirement is but a humble reward for a career of unfailing
excellence. Wishing you the best days ahead, Ninong Chief!
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ROSMARI D. CARANDANG
Decorated, dedicated, and dauntless – it will
be grossly inadequate to use these words to
describe Chief Justice Dado’s distinguished legal
career. One does not become the leader of the
Judiciary without a sincere adherence to the
rule of law and an unwavering desire to ensure
that the wheels of justice never stop turning. CJ Dado is part of
the gold standard in determining what it means to be a true jurist.
Throughout his career, CJ Dado was never satisfied with just
merely going through the everyday motions of the job. He always
attended to his duties purposefully to ensure that the work was
done fast and that it was done right. His legal acumen and his
innate sense of fairness were always readily seen in the sound
judicial decisions that he made.
Everyone who has ever had the privilege of working with him
can attest to CJ Dado’s impeccable work ethic. As a member of the
Division which he leads, I have personally seen the immeasurable
amount of passion that he has in ensuring that all of this Court’s
decisions are not only legal, but also sensitive to the realities
that all litigants face. This is further attested to by the various
recognitions that he has received for always standing at the
forefront of justice.
He is truly the primus inter pares not only by virtue of his title,
but by how he treats everybody in this Court. From his fellow
Justices to the security guards at the entrance, CJ Dado has never
let his accomplishments trump his kindness and humility.

CJ Dado, I am all truly grateful to have served under your
leadership. I wish you good health as you enjoy your much-
deserved rest from work, but I know you can do more beyond this
retirement. May the Lord continue to shower you with blessings
as you embark on this new chapter of your life.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE AMY C. LAZARO JAVIER
Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta was a few
years my senior at the University of Santo Tomas
Faculty of Civil Law. Our paths first crossed
when we both became faculty members of our
beloved alma mater and came to full circles
when, yet again, we became colleagues in the
Highest Court of the land.
CJ Dado is known for his perseverance, determination, and
insightfulness as a magistrate, especially as a premier leader
of the Judiciary. He spearheaded the implementation of the
2019 Amendments to the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, 2019
Amendments to the 1989 Revised Rules on Evidence, 2020 Revised
Rules of Procedure for Intellectual Property Rights Cases, 2020
Revised Rules of Procedure for Intellectual Property Rights Cases,
and the Guidelines on the Conduct of Videoconferencing, to
name a few. These reforms were all designed to speed up the
dispensation of justice which has become his primary focus and
advocacy.
There is no denying that he has immensely contributed to the
development of Philippine jurisprudence, especially in the field
of criminal law. I am especially fond of his ponencias in People
v. Jugueta, People v. Romy Lim and People v. Tulagan. Since the
promulgation of Jugueta in 2016, my ponencias in the Court of
Appeals and even now in the Supreme Court, have always referred
to Jugueta in the imposition of penalties and award of damages
involving crimes defined and penalized under the Revised Penal
Code. Meanwhile, Romy Lim changed my perspective on how
drug cases should be resolved. As it stands, Romy Lim has put
great emphasis on how the law enforcers should, with utmost
caution and responsibility, preserve the res every step of the way
to prevent its tampering, and consequently, the unjust conviction
of an accused. Lastly, Tulagan has enhanced the protections given
to children in cases of sexual abuse in terms of providing guidance
on the imposition of the proper penalties and designation of
offenses.
I salute and thank CJ Dado for his dedicated service, innovative
and tireless leadership, his significant contribution in shaping
jurisprudential law, and speeding up the dispensation of justice.
Most of all, I salute and thank him for his tremendous effort and
relentless resolve in not just changing, but significantly improving
the lives of our former casual employees and their families. It was
CJ Dado who vigorously worked for their well-deserved upgrade
from casual to permanent employees of the Court.
CJ Dado, on the occasion of your retirement from the Judiciary,
I sincerely congratulate you for your sterling service to the country
and the Filipino People! Best wishes and warm regards!
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
HENRI JEAN PAUL B. INTING
As I reflect on the life works and achievements
of Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, I cannot
help but be in awe of, and marvel at, the extent
or magnitude of the contributions he has made
to the Court and the Judiciary over the span of
almost three decades (not counting his stint as
public prosecutor). The Court has always turned to CJ Peralta’s
expertise and brilliance in criminal law and procedure in deciding
the cases before it as well as in revising the Rules of Court in order
to make court proceedings more efficient and effective to the
great benefit of the public.
One of his most significant legacies is his endless and tireless
quest and effort to reform the Judiciary, not only with regard to
the speedy and even-handed administration of justice, but also
in uplifting the plight of the employees of the Judiciary relative
to their compensation, benefits, working conditions and welfare.
Year in and year out, he was at the forefront of defending the
budget of the Judiciary before Congress. For this and his fatherly
concern for this institution’s employees, which he has given the
best years of his life to, I, along with the whole Judiciary family,
express our deepest gratitude.
Beyond the many admirable traits and unparalleled awards
and achievements of CJ Peralta lies a true and gifted leader, who,
in my opinion, was providentially appointed as Chief Justice before
the pandemic. For in such distressing and the most challenging of
times brought about by the pandemic, the Court and the Judiciary
needed a strong and steady leader as well as a compassionate
and flexible one; listening to, and addressing the urgent needs
of the Judiciary, by, among others, adopting stringent and quick
response schemes in order to protect the Judiciary and providing
financial aid to its employees. He was more than equal to the
task of ably steering the Court and the Judiciary to continue
to perform its primordial functions, with utmost integrity,
effectiveness, excellence, dedication and patriotism, despite the
constrictions imposed by the threat of the pandemic and the
protocols implemented in connection therewith.
Moreover, as chief magistrate of the Court, he was gifted with
the ability to harmoniously reach a consensus among all his fellow
Justices, without any acrimony. During the Court’s deliberations,
he created an atmosphere of cordiality, honor and respect, where
each Member of the Court may freely air his or her views without
reservations.
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 I wish to end my tribute and honoring to CJ Peralta with my
own personal experiences with him as a leader and a colleague,
for, in that regard, I am truly blessed and privileged to have
worked with him. When I was appointed as a Member of the
Court, he warmly welcomed me, but more than that, because my
first assignment was with the Third Division, where he was then
the Chairperson, CJ Peralta was generous with his advice on how
to manage my docket. No doubt an off-shoot of his passion for
teaching in the academe and PHILJA. A most admirable trait, in
my opinion, for one’s life is about passing it on. By giving away his
life and learnings for the good of others, CJ Peralta leaves behind
a legacy that will far outlive him, as the famous quote from Henry
Adams goes, “A teacher affects eternity, he (or she) does not
know where his (or her) influence ends.”
I congratulate CJ Peralta for his outstanding service to the
Court and the Judiciary, especially as its leader during the pinnacle
of his judicial service. I thank him for the kind of man, colleague
and leader that he is: unifying, patient, selfless, generous, and
amiable. I wish him all of God’s best as he steps down as the chief
magistrate of the Court. May the Lord continue to grant him good
health and mightily bless all areas of his life, especially his family
and loved ones, who have themselves sacrificed a lot, so that CJ
Peralta could dedicate his life works for the good of the Court and
the Judiciary— and lead it well for such a time as this.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE RODIL V. ZALAMEDA
If the measure of achievement is that one
leaves a place better off than when he came,
then Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta’s career
in the Judiciary would give him top marks.
CJ Peralta is an esteemed and much-beloved
figure in the Judiciary. His imprint in the legal
profession is legendary, especially in the field of criminal and
remedial laws. His contribution to the law and jurisprudence is
immeasurable.
There is practically no part of the legal profession where he has
not left his indelible mark. Generations of law students, lawyers
attending seminars and continuing legal education programs,
judges, and other court officials have all been blessed by the
wealth of his experience and expertise that he generously share
in his lectures and echo in his ponencias. Similarly, litigants and
other court users may not realize that they are benefitting from
his diligent efforts at streamlining court processes and ensuring
the speedy and efficient administration of justice.
CJ Peralta often mentions giving lectures to be one of his
favorite parts of being a magistrate. A true pro, he enlivens even
the dry subject or droll hour of a lecture with his liberal dash of
jokes and anecdotes gained from practice and years on the bench.
Participants often give him high approbation in their evaluation
for both substance and delivery. But make no mistake, he
never favors style over substance. He remains the consummate
professor, patiently explaining the intricacies and nuances of the
laws, rules, and jurisprudence.
Even in our En Banc sessions, he often slips into “professor
mode” as he expounds on difficult issues or points of contention
— all with his signature good humor and wit. His contributions
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both enliven and enrich our discussions. Certainly, his towering
presence will be missed in the Court.
The hallmark of his tenure as Chief Justice is the promulgation
of the new rules of civil procedure and evidence – the fruition
of the years he has spent advocating and toiling in the Court’s
rules committees. CJ Peralta never tires of voicing out his passion
for making the rules and court processes more efficient, user-
friendly, and economical — a crusade he has indefatigably carried
on since his days as a trial judge. His own efforts to make his court
room efficient and ensure that he disposed of his cases in the
most expeditious manner has earned him awards, accolades, and
admiration from the bench and bar. His thrust for continuous
trial, albeit controversial at the start, has proven to be effective in
decongesting court dockets and ensuring higher disposal of cases.
Apart from this, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted an
often overlooked aspect of CJ Peralta — that of a skilled but
compassionate administrator. It is not an overstatement to say
that his able leadership and timely response steered the Judiciary
in the right direction through the upheaval wrought by the
pandemic. The policies he put forward has allowed the courts
to stay open with curtailed court disruptions and persistent
dispensation of justice. Such policies have also hastened the
Court’s adoption of new technologies to enable Justices and
judges to continue their work efficiently and safely. Our courts and
court users will continue to reap the benefits of these innovations
even after the crisis is over.
Such are the enduring marks that CJ Peralta will leave in the
Judiciary as he retires from the Court. I would have liked to see
him finish his term and implement more of his vision for the bench
and the bar. Yet even a year short, he has made every moment
of his tenure count. And the Judiciary, the legal community, and
indeed, the country, is all the better for it.
Thank you, CJ Peralta, for never wavering in your commitment
to a responsive, efficient, and effective Judiciary! I wish you well
on your retirement. While we will miss you in the Court, there
is no doubt in my mind that the Judiciary and the entire legal
profession will continue to relish the gift of your wisdom, passion,
and, of course, humor. Dios ti agngina kenka! (God bless you!)
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE MARIO V. LOPEZ
Chief Justice Peralta once said that Ilocanos
are industrious, determined, and dedicated.
True to this nature, his journey from a working
student to his lofty position as Chief Justice was
paved with grit and hard work. I am proud of my
fellow Ilocano and consider it a privilege to have
served the Court alongside him.
With a heart for public service, the Chief Justice is fully
committed to improve the justice system of the country —
something he always demonstrated throughout his career as a
public prosecutor, trial court judge, Sandiganbayan Presiding
Justice, Supreme Court Associate Justice and, ultimately, Chief
Justice of the Philippines. He not only endeavored to do justice
but also set a remarkable example and an assiduous conduct. He
understands that the administration of justice affects the daily
reality of peoples’ lives. He asked of others what he demanded
of himself: excellence and meticulousness. His ponencias exhibit
clarity and force, with a touch of aptness that stimulates the
readers’ interest.
Also, Chief Justice Peralta puts a premium on legal education.
Before joining the Court, he was a professor, lecturer, resource
person, and Bar reviewer. Teaching is one passion that he will most
likely continue to pursue upon retiring from the Bench. His future
students will be privileged to have a learned jurist as mentor.
As an expert in criminal and remedial law, Chief Justice Peralta
dedicated his entire tenure towards the pursuit of a more pro-
active Philippine legal system with the aim of decongesting court
dockets. He believes that the strength of the justice system is
measured in terms of public trust. His advocacy is that the people
must feel and experience justice. Thus, he streamlined the judicial
processes to adapt with modern times. As the Chairperson of
the Committees for the Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial
of Criminal Cases and Revision of the Rules of Civil Procedure
and Evidence, he spearheaded the adoption of rules to improve
the court system and expedite the resolution of cases. These
include the Rule on Administrative Search and Inspection under
the Philippine Competition Act, the Rules of Procedure for
Admiralty Cases, Guidelines on the Implementation of the Hague
Service Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial Documents
in Civil and Commercial Matters, Guidelines in the Imposition of
Community Service as a Penalty, and Guidelines on the Use of
Videoconferencing Technology for Remote Court Appearance or
Testimony of Persons Deprived of Liberty in Jails and National
Penitentiaries.
To describe Chief Justice Peralta’s tenure as challenging is
an understatement since the extraordinary demands of a global
pandemic tested his leadership. There is a proverb that says
“cometh the hour, cometh the man”. The hour has come and
being the leader that he is, the Chief Justice stepped up to the
plate and steered the Judiciary during these unprecedented
times with decisive action, empathy, and honest communication.
He implemented measures so that the Justice system remains
unhampered and accessible to the public, while balancing the
health, safety, and welfare of justices, judges, court personnel
and litigants. There have been numerous magistrates who have
displayed the judicial virtues of wisdom, compassion, diligence,
leadership, and administrative skills. Yet, few have had all
these qualities and to the level that Chief Justice Peralta had
demonstrated.
Chief Justice Peralta’s deep sense of purpose is inspiring.
He finds fulfillment, not in the power and prestige of his office,
but in the unremitting and persistent effort to make the Court
serve its true purpose through the administration of justice
and enhancement of the Judiciary’s professionalism. Truly, the
Supreme Court is a more responsive institution because of his
accomplishments. He leaves the Court in good health ready to
face the challenges that lie ahead. The Chief Justice leaves big
shoes to fill, but he can rest easy knowing that his colleagues and
future Justices of the Court will follow his example.
I wish the Chief Justice many years of well-earned leisure,
sweetened by thoughts of high regard and affection of members
of the Bench and the Bar, and still more because of the good he
has wrought in his honorable career.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
EDGARDO L. DELOS SANTOS
As dusk nears the tenure of Chief Justice
Diosdado Peralta in the Court, I reflect upon
how he guided the Judiciary in one of most
challenging times in our history. The year 2020
was a period of unprecedented difficulties and
challenges not only in the Judiciary but around
the world. During that time and up until now, Chief Justice Peralta
has managed to continuously keep the morale of the Judiciary by
being a pragmatic and compassionate leader — looking after the
welfare of the employees of the Judiciary during such uncertain
times with practical means and a great deal of empathy.
His term as Chief Justice may be short but in that span of time
he has accomplished much of what he has laid out in his Ten
Point Program. He has vowed to lead by example and indeed he
has. With his retirement, we, his colleagues, will surely miss his
valuable and insightful opinions. It has, indeed, been my privilege
and pleasure to have worked with the Chief Justice and to have
participated in the judicial reform efforts during his term.
Chief Justice Peralta, I wish you good luck and Godspeed in all
your important endeavors in the future!
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SAMUEL H. GAERLAN
“Greatness be nothing unless it be lasting.”
These words of Napoleon Bonaparte resonate
while pondering on Chief Justice Diosdado M.
Peralta’s legacy. Truly, CJ Peralta’s illustrious
career is a testament of his greatness. For over
three decades, he zealously and tirelessly served
our nation.
He remarkably fulfilled his roles as legal luminary, courageous
advocate and astute magistrate. He was a distinguished
professor and an erudite lecturer who passionately shared his
legal expertise to students and law professionals alike. He was a
magnanimous mentor, and an inspiration to the members of the
legal community.
Likewise, his courage and grit shone in his years as a prosecutor,
where he fought as a champion of victims' rights. His fortitude and
zest further radiated during his stint as a Judge of the Regional
Trial Court in Quezon City, where he presided over a special court
for heinous crimes and drugs cases. Recognizing his intrepid
leadership, he was promoted as a Justice of the Sandiganbayan,
and thereafter, its Presiding Justice.
His legal prowess became more evident when he was
appointed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. He
penned copious decisions and holds the distinction of being one
of the most prolific jurists of all time. He enriched the body of
jurisprudence with his brilliant ponencias, most of which are
celebrated landmark cases.
In addition to his impressive roster of achievements, his
most notable accomplishments unfolded during his tenure as
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He was a trailblazer and
an innovative visionary. He unearthed infinite possibilities to
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improve the courts and paved the way for speedy and efficient
processes through the amendment and enactment of rules,
and the initiation of vital programs. He exhorted members of
the Judiciary to offer their best service. In turn, these initiatives
resulted in the advancement of the Judiciary.
Indeed, CJ Peralta exhibited greatness in all stages of his career
that left a lasting imprint on the entire legal community. His
lectures enhanced legal discourse; his pronouncements enriched
jurisprudence; his edicts improved court processes; and most
importantly, his character inspired diligence and determination.
Thus, if greatness is measured by one’s legacy, undeniably, CJ
Peralta is one of the greatest men who has served our nation.
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE RICARDO R. ROSARIO
I first met Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta
when I was a Prosecutor temporarily assigned
to his sala in RTC, Quezon City. Even during my
short stint in his sala, there was no doubt in my
mind that then-Judge Peralta would go on to
become one of the greatest magistrates of our
highest court. He was always hardworking and
efficient, and he expected everyone to follow his lead.
Later, when I had the good fortune to be appointed as one of
the Justices of the Supreme Court, I saw again just how hard Chief
Justice Peralta worked every day. He was, and still is a stickler for
rules and discipline. Even during the pandemic, when Manila was
under ECQ, Chief Justice Peralta continued going to work every
day. He was truly a hands-on Justice. His priority was to safeguard
the rights of the accused, especially those deprived of liberty. He
wanted trials to proceed, as far as practicable and even by video,
so as not to prejudice both the victim and the accused. It was as
if Chief wanted to reassure the Filipino people that justice will
continue to prevail no matter what happens in the world. His love
for the law and for his countrymen is unmatched.
In addition to his hard work and diligence, Chief Justice Peralta
also exhibited a fatherly affection for all of us working under his
guidance. I will forever treasure the warm welcome he gave me
when I was newly appointed to the Supreme Court.
It was, indeed, a great privilege to have worked with Chief
Justice Diosdado M. Peralta. His intelligence, wisdom and common
sense leap out of his ponencias and will serve as beacons for law
students, lawyers and magistrates now and in the years to come. I
can only hope that everyone in the legal profession come to know
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of Chief Justice Peralta’s work ethic and strive to even come close
to it.
As Chief Justice Peralta starts this new chapter in his life
outside of the Supreme Court, I want to thank him sincerely for his
guidance and leadership during our time together. Congratulations
on your well-deserved retirement, Chief, and may God bless you
and all your future endeavors!
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE JHOSEP Y. LOPEZ
Chief Jus ce Peralta is the gold standard of hard
work and dedica on in the Judiciary. When I joined
the ranks of the Associate Jus ces, I was already
well aware of the Chief Jus ce’s “leadership by
example” style and I remember being cap vated
by his authority during my first session with His
Honor. His leadership garners the respect of his
contemporaries and admira on of his associates in the Judiciary. He
is known to be strict, for he demands a hundred percent from his
staff and from the Judiciary personnel, but he is also seen to be very
generous and compassionate that never withholds on rewards.
The Chief Jus ce is also regarded in the legal profession as one
of the most brilliant among our contemporaries. He is a staunch
authority of an impeccable number of quality jurisprudence. His
contribu on in the legal circle will surely be remembered by many,
especially by my former students who were replete with case
assignments in the ponencia of the Chief Jus ce.
Mind you, the Chief Jus ce’s contribu on extends to the
academe as he was also a professor of law. I remember being very
impressed by his wit and understanding of the law when I witnessed
his lectures. His style is something that many lecturers will surely
want to emulate to ensure con nuous interest in the some mes
mundane area of the law.
I salute the Chief Jus ce for accomplishing so much for the
en re Judiciary during his s nt. The cerebral handling of affairs
of the Judiciary during these trying mes is something that only a
tenacious individual can do. He has remained true to his word that
he will spearhead the reform ini a ves, the most notable of which,
personally, is the revision of the Rules of Court and other Rules of
Procedure and Guidelines.
Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta, thank you for your years
of service to the Filipino people! I wish you all the best in your
re rement.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE PERALTA WE KNOW By A y. Anna Katrina M. Mar nez
I t is undeniable that the prominent legacy of Chief Jus ce Diosdado Madarang
Peralta’s term as the 26th Chief Jus ce of the Republic of the Philippines rests mainly
on his successful maneuvering of the Judiciary throughout a global health crisis.
This, owing to the fact that his was not an uncomplicated
term for a Chief Jus ce. A mere five months from when he
was appointed as head of the Philippine Judiciary, Chief Jus ce
Peralta found himself execu ng one decisive ac on a er
another in reac on to the extraordinary challenges posed by
the speed and scope of the coronavirus pandemic. Ul mately,
it was through his string of policy measures and procedural
reforms that the Philippine courts succeeded in overcoming
the ini al difficul es posed by the ambiguous threat that is
the ongoing global health crisis.
But while Chief Jus ce Peralta may be most remembered
by most as the chief magistrate who advocated procedural
reforms and con nued access to the courts while contending
with an unprecedented crisis, there are those of us—the
members of his staff—who, having had the privilege of
working for him throughout the length of his judicial career,
remember him more vibrantly and more personally.
A STICKLER FOR PUNCTUALITY
Chief Jus ce Peralta respects me, both his and those of
others. He would arrive in the office an hour or so earlier
than 8:00 A.M. He credits his former employers in the private
sector, who were also very par cular with me, for ins lling in
him the value of punctuality. He once said that he was never
late for work, and that when he was younger, he would even
go to the office on his days off. During his stay in the Supreme
Court, he would go on scheduled wellness leaves, but he
would s ll report to the office.
The Chief said this was because he placed emphasis on the
value of hard work. Thus, he also expected the members of
his staff to be efficient, to arrive at work on me, and to leave
work only when it was me to do so.
There were a ernoons when the Chief would sit and read
the day’s papers at the recep on area of his office in the
Supreme Court several minutes before 4:30 P.M., chuckling to
himself as he said good-bye to the members of his staff who
were on their way out. The Chief explained one me that he
would do this not to catch any unsuspec ng employee who did
not know be er than to leave before the official end of office
hours. He said he did this only because there were occasions
when he really wanted to relax by the recep on area.
A NATURAL COMEDIAN
So percep ve and astute is Chief Jus ce Peralta that he
does not suffer fools gladly. But he does appreciate levity.
Admi edly, his healthy sense of humor is a trait of the Chief
that even those who never had the opportunity to work
with or for him knew about him. For beneath the Chief’s tall,
stern, and imposing presence lies a raconteur whose stories,
wi cisms, and anecdotes never fail to make his audience (i.e.,
this writer) smile and laugh.
His ability to narrate in detail stories about his elementary
classmates back in Ilocos Norte—who were their class
valedictorian, salutatorian, and what became of them in
adulthood—reveal just how sharp his memory is. Once, in
the middle of giving me instruc ons regarding an assignment,
the Chief told me a comprehensive history of the past mayors
and poli cal families in my city during the 1980s, him having
been assigned there back when he worked for Cosmos Bo ling
Corpora on. He also gave a detailed descrip on of how my
hometown used to look like. For example: “’Yang C-4, iha, wala
pa noong araw ‘yan. Ang daanan ng mga tao sa inyo, ‘yung
sa may North Bay. Sa Agora.” Suffice it to say, he knew more
about my city’s past and geography than I did.
The Chief also likes to deliver his jokes in a deadpan manner
at first, and then laugh a er he delivered his punchline in his
characteris c booming voice.
Chief: “Karen, ‘yung sa (men ons office and name of SC
employee)… Arabo ba ‘yun?”
Me, caught off-guard: “Chief? Uh… Hindi po. Pilipino po.”
Chief: “Arabo ‘yon. Ara buhok!” He then laughed ever
so hear ly.
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A GENUINE FAMILY MAN

The Chief Jus ce is a devoted husband to his wife of

more than 30 years, the Honorable Court of Appeals Jus ce
Fernanda “Audrey” Lampas Peralta, and a do ng father to his
four children: Dorothy, twins John Christopher and Timothy
John, and John Isaac. Weekends for him are sacred and are
devoted to his family. He doted on his children. Knowing that
one of his law clerks, Stef, was a new mom then to twins, he
would give her ps on raising twins, punctuated with stories
about how he would be the one to babysit his children and
change their diapers back when they were babies.

Chief Jus ce Peralta is also a loving brother to his siblings

and a respec ul son to his 97-year-old “mama,” Mrs. Catalina
Madarang Peralta. He always kept in touch with her, and she,
in turn, would regularly call him through the office landline.
One me, back when he was s ll an Associate Jus ce, the
Chief answered a call near the lawyers’ area. A er several
minutes, he hung up and said, “Mama ko, tumawag. Matanda
na, nangungumusta.”

That he was never too busy with work or too preoccupied to

talk with his mother spoke volumes about the fact that if there
is one thing Chief Jus ce Peralta values more than hard work,
it is his family. His love for Jus ce Audrey is almost palpable.
He speaks of her with constant admira on and respect. When
I dra ed a message for him one me and submi ed it to him
for his review, he immediately called me to his office and said,
“Nakalimutan mo banggi n ‘yung pinaka-importante, iha.
Misis ko. Sa lahat na makakalimutan mo…” Mea culpa.

AN EXEMPLARY BOSS

I consider it a dis nct honor to have been a member of

Chief Jus ce Peralta’s legal staff. To say that I have learned a lot
from him is a massive understatement. Through his guidance,
I learned how to work fast and work hard. There was no me
to procras nate. I also unknowingly trained my night owl
self to wake up earlier than usual, so much so that even on
weekends or when I was on leave, I would automa cally wake
up at around six in the morning. “Ang galing ng training ni
Chief ‘no,” my officemate and friend Marj would amusingly
tease me. Yes, indeed.

Chief, I will be forever grateful that you took a chance on

me that me in October of 2017 and gave me the opportunity
to work for you. Thank you for the life learnings and the
memories. It has been a privilege. Congratula ons on your
outstanding career. Enjoy your well-deserved re rement po!

Editor’s Note: Originally from the SC Public Informa on Office, A y. Mar nez joined the
Office of then-Associate Jus ce Peralta as a law clerk in 2017. She is now back in the PIO as the
Assistant Chief of Office.

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2022 | THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SUPREME COURT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE | BENCHMARK 23
 OCJ PERALTA STAFF TRIBUTES
Compiled by Tiffany Ines C. Atendido-Beltran and A y. Anna Katrina M. Mar nez
C
hief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta spent the last 12 years of his judicial career
as a magistrate of Supreme Court. Let us get to know more about the 26th
Chief Jus ce of the Philippines through the words of those who had the
privilege of working for him through thick and thin: the members of his staff.
Hard work, compassion, empathy, integrity, prudence, love
for family, friends and employees, passion for teaching, sense of
humor... These are just some cardinal virtues and venerable traits
that I am blessed to have witnessed and experienced firsthand, as
Chief implemented his Ten-Point Program for the Judiciary amid
the pandemic. I will always cherish the lessons he taught, treasure
the wisdom he imparted, and reminisce the memories he shared.
I will never forget and I will con nuously strive to "live and lead
by example," just as Chief did during his term as Supreme Court
Associate Jus ce and Chief Jus ce of the Republic of the Philippines. I
pray that the Almighty will always bless and keep Chief and his family,
as the next stage of his epic journey unfolds. – A y. Ralph Jerome D.
Salvador, Chief Jus ce Staff Head
Being a Chief Jus ce is no easy feat. More so, if his tenure is
during a pandemic that has shocked the world. Being the head of
the Judiciary, he has to cra measures to adapt to such a situa on so
that the wheels of jus ce will effec vely and efficiently keep moving.
When then Associate Jus ce Peralta was appointed as Chief
Jus ce of the Republic of the Philippines, he was more than ripe to
assume the posi on of Chief Jus ce. He has been working for at least
50 years, rose from the ranks, and has a rich work experience which
makes him well-equipped to address the needs and challenges that
the Judiciary has been facing, and to be the best Chief Jus ce that
he can be.
Chief Jus ce Peralta is me culous. This is manifested through
his Ten-Point Program, which gives an overview of his plans and
programs for the Judiciary. He is very hands-on with work. And at the
same me, he knows that there are tasks which require working as
a team, and he is able to tap the right people to help work on these
goals. He leads by example because he is able to get the support and
coordina on of persons, which is to work towards a common good
for the Judiciary.
Although he is firm and professional, he is also compassionate
towards employees, which is evident with how he cra s rules, and
how he shows genuine concern and warm treatment towards them.
It is an honor and privilege to have worked with Chief Jus ce
Peralta. He has inspired me with his brilliance, and all values that
contribute to being brilliant: hard work, humility and goodness.
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Chief Jus ce Peralta has had a fulfilling and vibrant career as a
magistrate. His contribu ons to the Judiciary will con nue to live on.
For these reasons, Chief Jus ce Peralta can confidently say that he
has accomplished his mission as Chief Jus ce of the Republic of the
Philippines. He has led and will con nue to live by example. – A y.
Dorothy L. Peralta, Chief Jus ce Staff Head
Joining your office and being under your tutelage have been
among the most posi ve transforma ve experiences in my life. To
start, I learned a lot. Throughout my tenure as a member of your
staff, I became a witness not only of your unques onable brilliance in
law, but also your willingness to share and to impart to others what
you know. The impromptu “lectures” on various points of law that
you pa ently gave in your chambers from me to me are memories
that I will surely cherish.
Yet, your mastery of the law is but a part of what is truly
admirable about you. Your approach to work and your zeal in the
discharge of your du es equally stand out. You taught your staff
the value of discipline, of adhering to rules and that there is never
really a subs tute to good old-fashioned hard work. Watching your
dedica on, day-in and day-out, inspired me to become a more
responsible court employee, lawyer, and person. A large part of who
I am today is because of you, and for that I am deeply grateful.
Maraming, maraming salamat po Chief sa pag-gabay. Kayo po
at ang inyong mga aral ay hinding-hindi ko po malilimutan. – A y.
Constan no U. Manlangit, Judicial Staff Head
The true testament of the Chief’s greatness is the
significant number of people that he has helped throughout the
years. He has always been selfless in impar ng his vast knowledge of
the law and in offering advice on life to everyone regardless of his or
her status in life. I have been fortunate enough to have worked for
him for more than 18 years and whatever I have achieved and will
be achieving, professionally and personally, I owe it to him. Thank
you, Chief! You will always be in my prayers. God bless you and your
family. – Judge Leo Felix S. Domingo, former Court A orney VI
It is a great honor to be given the opportunity to work with Chief
Jus ce Peralta, my former professor in law school, from the me he was
appointed as Associate Jus ce in 2009. His perseverance and unwavering
commitment to his work have always inspired me to do be er.
 A staunch believer in the significance of speedy disposi on of
cases, he was one of the Jus ces with the most number of disposed
cases in the Court, even when he was busy with his du es as the
Chairperson and member of various Commi ees which benefited
much from his exper se. He penned several landmark decisions which
provided for jurispruden al doctrines, most especially in Criminal
Law and Criminal Procedure. He also dedicated his valuable me
and efforts in ini a ng and implemen ng the Revised Guidelines for
Con nuous Trial of Criminal Cases and traveled around the country
to give lectures to judges on these new rules.
On a personal note, I can say that CJ Peralta is a friendly and kind-
hearted person. There were several occasions that he would join
us while we were having our lunch and our conversa ons covered
varied topics that taught us valuable lessons in life. And quite o en,
he would also share stories that would surely make us laugh.
Thank you, Chief Jus ce. May God con nue to bless you and your
family. - Maria Luisa Q. Ong-Tayag, Court A orney VI
Chief Jus ce Peralta is a renowned jurist, a dis nguished
professor of criminal law, and a trailblazer for judicial reforms. But
what truly makes him a great leader is his impeccable work ethic
and his uncanny ability to adapt to any situa on, while s ll being on
top of everything. He likewise has a firm grasp of the inner workings
of the Judiciary, which is evident in his excellent command of the
administra on of the Court. Chief has always taught by example,
through his punctuality, accountability, and diligence. He is also
a performer and has proven that there is nothing that cannot be
overcome with sheer determina on and hard work. He has always
been hands-on with his leadership, and he ensures that his vision is
carried out effec vely and promptly.
I cannot for the life of me understand where Chief gets his energy.
He rarely skips work; he always arrives earlier and leaves the office
later than most of us. He also brings home a lot of work, on top of
conduc ng lectures all over the country. Like we always say, “how to
be you po, Chief?”
Nonetheless, behind Chief’s seemingly formidable façade, he
carries a big heart. He would always tease us as being “service-
oriented,” whenever we rush to take the bus going home. But deep
inside we know that he understands, given how much of a devoted
husband and father he is to his family. He can relate to everyone and
anyone, and he never discriminates. He is always forgiving, and he is
considerate to the difficul es of his staff who may be struggling with
adversi es.
Chief, thank you for having our backs. Thank you for sharing your
wisdom and morals to us. We will miss you, Chief! We will always
fondly remember all your funny anecdotes and sly facial expressions,
especially whenever you tease us. Hats off to you and congratula ons
on an outstanding career in the Judiciary. Happy re rement po. -
Marjorie B. Barribal-Javier, Court A orney VI
I worked with the Office of Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta
since the start of his term of office in the Supreme Court in 2009.
He set the example of being early at work. I witnessed his dedica on
to his work as a quintessen al jurist and his passion for the law, and
we have gained much from his invaluable contribu on to law and
jurisprudence. In the office, he conversed with his staff and told us
stories and made us laugh. He has been generous, understanding
and solicitous of our well-being. It has been an honor and privilege to
work with the Chief Jus ce to whom I will always be grateful. - Aida
O. Domingo, Court A orney VI
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 Of all the things I am grateful to the Chief for, the lessons to the High Court in 2009 and, now, during his valedictory tenure
he imparted under his leadership are what I value most. Off as its Chief Jus ce. In 2012, as if by a sense of adventurism, I bade
the bat, he mo vated me by his impeccable work ethic. A self- him farewell and forayed into the execu ve branch and then into the
confessed workaholic, Chief Jus ce Peralta led only according to private sector, and all the while bearing in mind his few golden words
what was right and just. He wasted no me in ge ng work done, but which I might as well consider as a keepsake from an esteemed
without ever sacrificing the Rule of Law. Ul mately, however, I am mentor.
most grateful for the compassion he has accorded me throughout
Galingan mo roon, kasi nanggaling ka na rito.
the years, no ma er the circumstances. Underneath it all, the Chief
is really just a man who adores his family, loves to cook, and make
These are CJ Dado’s only words that would always ring in my
everybody around him smile.
head whenever I recall the me I walked into his chambers to
seek his formal approval to my transfer. It is evident how much of
To the Chief, working under your leadership has been a true
a premium he does actually place on excellence in whatever work
honor and privilege. Thank you for the opportunity. I believe I speak
one does wherever he or she may be. In a way, the message is clear:
for all when I say that the Judiciary has significantly gained from, and
the excellence one demonstrates at any given me is probably the
will notably miss, Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta - Stefanie Marie
only legi mate homage he might pay to his beginnings – a shining
P. Fernandez, Court A orney VI
tes mony to the fact that a mentor indeed feels the highest pride to
see his own men and women cas ng great and lengthening shadows
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to
beyond the halls that nurtured them.
make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of
others. ~Douglas McArthur.
I believe these words are a metaphor for the legacy that CJ Dado
intends to leave behind – not only to the Court but also to the many
I am forever grateful to our dear Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta
men and women with whom he has crossed paths in his long and
for giving me the opportunity, and for his trust and confidence in me.
meaningful journey as a public servant. The legacy of excellence. -
It has been a great honor and privilege.
Brandon C. Domingo, Court A orney VI
In the years that I’ve been in his office, I’ve witnessed his brilliant
I consider being part of the Office of Chief Jus ce Diosdado M.
mind and his broad knowledge of law. He is willing to listen and teach
Peralta as a blessing because every day is a learning experience. Every
us about our queries. Whenever he was free, he liked to catch up
me I get to hear the Chief Jus ce explain difficult concepts of law,
with us to hear updates not just about our work but also about our
I was always in awe on the depth of his understanding of different
lives.
fields of law especially in Criminal Law and Procedural Law. I consider
the Chief Jus ce as the second best in Criminal Law — second to the
He is dedicated and passionate about the legal profession.
Almighty God!
Before becoming the Chief Jus ce, he was o en in different places
assiduously educa ng judges and lawyers through his lectures. He
I do not only admire Chief Jus ce Peralta’s professional brilliance
is confident in all his stand in ma ers brought before the Court.
but I am also a big fan of his GQ-esque ensembles. I can say that the
He courageously decided on cases and controversial ma ers even
Chief Jus ce speaks, talks, thinks, and dresses to the highest level.
amidst public cri cism. He was compassionate to the plight of the
employees of Judiciary. When the pandemic started, he immediately
released all possible grants and allowances of the employees to
assist them before work resumed. Indeed, Chief Jus ce Peralta is a
true leader.

Thank you for the experience and memories, Chief! - Mari Joyce
R. Ruizol, Court A orney VI

As a renowned figure in the jus ce system of the Philippines,

Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta has always exhibited himself as
a paragon of hard work, resilience, and unrivaled devo on to the
service of the people. In my three years of service with the Chief
Jus ce, I have personally witnessed his passion and dedica on to
the advancement of our legal landscape and the be erment of the
Philippine Judiciary as a whole.

As my first s nt in government service, I am s ll in awe at how

blessed I am to have worked under the guidance and supervision of
Chief Jus ce Peralta. I am forever grateful to have had this wonderful
and remarkable experience. Thank you for your exemplary service to
the Filipino people.

I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Godspeed, Chief
Jus ce. - Miguel Angelo S. Gabionza, Court A orney VI

I have had the rarest pleasure of working with CJ Dado twice, in

both his capacity as an Associate Jus ce when he was first appointed

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 Thank you for all the opportuni es and I wish you a frui ul
re rement, Apo Chief Jus ce Peralta! - Jeffrey G. Gallardo, Court
A orney VI
I first met the Chief Jus ce by accident at a grocery store in
early 2020. I recall how approachable and pleasant he was as we
discussed Bar reform. Many months later, I decided to send him my
applica on for a clerkship posi on. A er a month, I received that
fateful message from his Chief of Staff, A y. Ralph, that Chief asked
to see me. I recall feeling as though I had passed the Bar again! And
true enough, working for the Chief Jus ce during the pandemic was
the best part of my 2020. God has blessed me not only with kind and
genuine work colleagues but also a boss who is industrious and who
inspires me to be the best lawyer I could be. I will always be grateful
to Chief for giving me this once-in-a-life me opportunity to assist
him in shaping our na on's jurisprudence as well as various rules of
procedure. God willing, like the Chief, I would also meet "the one" by
the me I reach 37. I wish him a happy and res ul re rement, but
knowing him, I am sure that he will con nue to be hard at work. We
really need more government officials like him! My snappy salute Sir!
- Jus n Adriel E. Ordoyo, Court A orney VI
"The greatest gi you can give someone is to believe in them."
Chief, thank you very much for believing in me! I am very
grateful for the opportunity you have given me where I gained
priceless learning experience. I will con nue to cherish our personal
encounters and the professional rela onship established. I wish you
all the best and Godspeed! - Jed Sherwin G. Uy, Court A orney VI
Chief Jus ce Peralta: MY MENTOR, MY TEACHER, AND MY BOSS.
It has been said that as a general rule of thumb, there are at least five
persons that one would meet during the course of his or her life that
would have a las ng impact on them and for me, CJ Peralta is one
of them. I am truly honored and privileged to have met and worked
with him.
As a mentor, he was always there for me — coaching, mentoring,
encouraging, and some mes pushing hard for me to keep on being
the best version of myself.
As a teacher of the law and life, he was tough but, at the same
me, kind and encouraging. I love his unique sense of humor, his
ability to analyze quickly, and offer words of wisdom. Most of all, I
appreciate his closeness to God and love for his family.
I always look forward to going to work because I am not only
working at the Supreme Court of the Philippines but I am PROUDLY
working for the Chief Magistrate of the country. At work, CJ Peralta
never complained about anything. He is a leader everyone can be
proud of. He knew that we are not perfect yet he never berated us.
He wanted to know how we are doing and we always welcome his
words of encouragement.
This so , gentle, and peace-loving man will always be unique. His
dedica on and commitment to the causes of the law and its progress
will never be forgo en and always treasured. CJ Peralta is one of the
most selfless people that I know. He is extremely modest despite his
many achievements and he never sought anything in return for his
reless efforts.
FIAT, CJ PERALTA! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE AN INSPIRATION TO ME
AND ALL THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE COME ACROSS WITH. - Khiel L.
Crisostomo, Court A orney VI
To say that Chief Jus ce Peralta is the epitome of dedicated public
service, is an understatement. An astute leader, the current pandemic
did not hinder him from accomplishing his ten-point program
for the Judiciary in just a year. Chief Jus ce Peralta's outstanding
achievements are realiza ons, not only of his assiduous and ardent
efforts, but also of his altruis c impulses in serving the public. An
admi ed workaholic, Chief Jus ce Peralta hardly missed a day of
work. In fact, he will even be ahead of everyone and will leave the
office a er everyone does. Un l now, I am in awe of how he always
goes to work full of strength and vigor. Despite his hec c schedule,
he takes me to impart his wisdom and vast knowledge of the law
to us and at the same me, he ins lls in us that more than anything,
discipline and hard work will bring our capabili es to greater heights.
How I wish I could paint the perfect picture of moments where
I would see him working punc liously in his chambers and how it
mo vates me to work even harder. Indeed, his incredible work ethic,
coupled with his intellectual sharpness, inspire us to be be er. Truly,
Chief Jus ce Peralta lives and leads by example. A brilliant jurist,
a firm leader, and a great teacher, I am privileged to have worked
as a law clerk under the guidance and supervision of Chief Jus ce
Peralta. - Ma. Triscia Giebon D. Asensi, Court A orney VI
In an early Monday morning in 2019, the Supreme Court
employees gathered for a flag raising ceremony a er a new Chief
Jus ce has been appointed. Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta stood
in front of the microphone and opened his statement with a promise:
“I will lead by example.”
Leading by example is a pledge that the Chief Jus ce delivered. He
headed the Judiciary with utmost dedica on and demanded the same
level of passion from the court employees. He never rested during
the lockdown and s rred us, his staff, to remain devoted to our work
to con nuously meet the needs of the public. With his leadership,
2022 | THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SUPREME COURT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE | BENCHMARK 27
the Chief Jus ce guided the Judiciary to a seamless transi on into
the new normal through the immediate implementa on of protocols
that will ensure con nuous service without compromising our health
and safety.
It is an honor to be a part of the Office of the Chief Jus ce.
Watching him mo vates me to give a high regard to my status as
a public servant because the Filipino people deserve the most
conscien ous ones. The Chief Jus ce is and will always be an
inspira on to the members of the legal profession.
Thank you, Chief, and may your enthusiasm in service con nue. -
Josephine B. Arpafo, Court A orney V
Your work ethics and pride in the court are truly inspira onal.
We are lucky to benefit from your great experience and brilliance.
Your character has been truly tested by mes of stress and strain
but, each me, your loyalty towards Jus ce and compassion to your
staff shine through. May your light con nue to guide the path of the
next genera ons of lawyers and jus ces! Wishing you many years
of happiness and well-earned leisure! – Neneth D. Aporo, Court
A orney V
Throughout his decades of service in the Judiciary, Chief Jus ce
Peralta has played an instrumental role in the administra on of
jus ce, and has inspired many, myself included.
Chief Jus ce Peralta is among those I have witnessed to truly lead
by example. His leadership was especially felt during the pandemic.
He introduced ini a ves that mi gated the challenges brought
about by the pandemic. He assured the public that the pandemic
will not stop the courts from rendering jus ce. Inside the Supreme
Court, he has also shown empathy and considera on for the staff
and employees, implemen ng measures to help us cope in these
difficult mes.
Beyond this pandemic, Chief Jus ce Peralta will always be
remembered for his leadership in judicial reform. The revisions in
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the rules of civil procedure and rules of evidence are mely and
relevant in achieving a more efficient administra on of jus ce. The
crea on of the Judiciary Help Desk has made public assistance more
accessible to the public. The technological innova ons, such as the
e-warrant and other electronic rules of procedure, have marked the
beginning of the Judiciary’s integra on of technology as a means to
facilitate the speedy administra on of jus ce. Finally, his ponencias
and academic work have enriched the legal system and will con nue
to provide guidance in the interpreta on of laws.
It has been an honor working under the office of Chief Jus ce
Peralta, and I will always cherish the lessons I have learned under
his leadership. I am also grateful for the kindness he has shown,
especially to his staff. Chief Jus ce, thank you for your leadership and
public service. I wish you a happy re rement, and all the best in the
years to come. - Julia Therese D. Pineda, Court A orney IV
There is so much to admire about CJ Peralta---his landmark
ponencias, his exper se in criminal law, his leadership by example,
his lively and informa ve lectures, and his swi and decisive ac on
during the pandemic which helped the Judiciary adapt to the new
normal and deliver much needed service to our country amidst
unprecedented challenges.
But I will always remember CJ Peralta as the Jus ce who helps
ordinary employees, as much as he can, at mes that it is greatly
needed. I will never forget your kindness, Chief! God bless you and
your family. - Maria Rosario Marte-Rediang, Court A orney IV
Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta was able to lead by example, as
he was a frontliner of the Judiciary when he did not fail to give the
highest of priori es for the speedy disposi on of cases. At the same
me, he has shown abundant empathy to the employees and staff of
the Supreme Court by ensuring that they are out of harm’s way. The
Judiciary now has reached greater heights thanks to the Chief Jus ce
and to the workforce he has inspired. Without a doubt, Chief Jus ce
Peralta was able to do more than what an excellent Chief Jus ce is
expected to do. It is not difficult for Chief Jus ce Peralta to do all

of these because his work ethic is enshrined in his untainted and
kindhearted character whose principles are molded by hard work,
humility, and kindness. Combine all these phenomena and you get
two sides of Diosdado M. Peralta: one who is the Chief Jus ce and the
other who is our “Papa Do,” the former of which all people already
know. Papa Do can be strict at mes, but this always comes with a
very good reason that my siblings and I have to submit to because it’s
just too right. I am proud that I am s ll under my parents’ guidance,
for where will I be without them? While I know that he will s ll be
as produc ve as ever, I am happy to know that he will have more
me to spend for his family and friends. I look forward to discussing
(and deba ng on) music and who the be er musician between John
Lennon and Paul McCartney is. Let’s analyze (and overanalyze) our
favorite basketball teams and other sports. Let’s get carried away
with Ne lix and Amazon Prime shows. I’ve become accustomed to
listening to people men on Papa Do’s accomplishments from the
me he was a young and ambi ous prosecutor who made sure that
no criminal can live a life of liberty, to the me he has become the
26th Chief Jus ce of the Highest Court in the Philippines. However,
a greater list of Diosdado M. Peralta’s achievements as “Papa Do”
is also worth men oning. That’s why, I dedicate my life to make
sure that the people will hear more about him as our father. - John
Christopher L. Peralta, Execu ve Assistant V
A luminary to all people from all walks of life, a juggernaut
armed with an unyielding moral compass to the legal profession
and a trailblazer of some of the most important procedural laws
so that no person will be deprived of his due process, Chief Jus ce
Diosdado M. Peralta is the epitome of the ul mate man. From the
audacious and most decorated prosecutor into The Chief Jus ce
of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Chief Jus ce Peralta has
reached the pinnacle of his legal profession through hard work
and tenacity. No further acclama on is needed to corroborate
his achievements. In spite of his many accolades that speak of his
impeccable character as the leader of the Judiciary and our Chief
Jus ce, the “Papa Do” personality that I, my siblings and my mother
know never falters. I say with utmost convic on that Papa Do is the
perfect father. While he pampers us with love, Papa Do makes sure
that we don’t overindulge in possessions so that we don’t quan fy
our blessings. Instead, he disciplines us to make each blessing, no
ma er how small or simple it may be, a meaningful tes mony of
hard work and kindness of people. He teaches us to be humble so
that we can become good models to those who have less in life and
inspire them with goodwill to be hardworking and kind. Whenever
my brother and I have musical concerts, my father would fetch us
from the backstage to help us carry our belongings. It’s one of those
moments when I know that my father - The Chief Jus ce, is proud of
us. I appreciate that we get to spend a whole Sunday together, as if
we don’t spend almost everyday of our week as a vibrant family. He’s
also a bonafide cook. No words can describe how good his dishes
are; we can only marvel at his talent. I pray that God would give
Papa Do more than 101% of what he asks for a er his re rement:
Good health, more me with family and beloved ones, prosperity,
composed leisure and the strength and mo va on to contribute for
the succeeding genera ons. Papa Do, I will see you later. I want to
see you every single day. Let us conquer the next chapter of our lives
together. - Timothy John L. Peralta, Execu ve Assistant V
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work for you—to
witness your dedica on and hard work for the be erment of the
Judiciary and experience your sincere regard for the welfare of your
people. You taught us how to aspire for progress amidst hurdles and
showed how to lead and live by example. You are truly a gem in the
Judiciary! A great leader to all of us! It was an honor to be led by you.
Congratula ons on your great achievements and may you enjoy your
re rement to the fullest! - Juan Paolo P. Aldon, SC Senior Chief Staff
Officer
I will forever cherish every minute of being a part of the
administra ve staff of Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta. His
work principle anchored on leadership by example had etched
in me the values of a public servant — dedica on, integrity, and
professionalism. I am a witness to how great he is in inspiring his legal
and administra ve staff to achieve their full poten als. The Chief
Jus ce would not mince words to remind you of areas to improve
on but he is also generous in giving words of commenda on if a staff
does an excellent job.
On a personal note, saying thank you for a billion mes is not
enough to show how grateful I am to Tito Dado (whom we, his nieces
and nephews, fondly call, Tito Daddy) for being the second father to
me and my two sisters. If it not for your fatherly love, we would not
be where we are right now. I pray that God will shower you and your
family with spiritual and material blessings.
On behalf of my sisters, Kathleen and Menchu and our respec ve
families, we would like to say, Agyaman kami unay kenka, Tito Daddy.
Ay-ayaten daka. - Ma. Aurora Candelaria P. Co, PET Chief Judicial
Supervising Officer
My employment career actually commenced at a Bank where
the kind work I performed was very rigid and intense. To borrow a
word from the Millennials, it is “toxic.” I wasn’t keen on applying
for employment at any government office. To be honest, my first
impression is that government work is laid-back and lax, it is not
fulfilling and counterproduc ve. It was only when I started having my
own family that I decided to shi to government employment a er
realizing that the financial benefits thereat are not only promising
but rewarding as well.
When I worked under Chief Jus ce Peralta, all those nega ve
thoughts and impressions about government employment
disappeared. My employment for Chief Jus ce Peralta started when
he was s ll a Jus ce of the Sandiganbayan. Ever since then, I was
impressed and amazed with the degree of work ethics Chief Jus ce
Peralta displayed, which he demanded his staff should also mirror.
He was prompt and punctual in going to his office. Looking back,
there were only very rare occasions when he did not report for work.
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He’s very diligent, industrious and commi ed to his work. For me,
his passion for dispensing jus ce is incomparable. These admirable
characteris cs of Chief Jus ce Peralta have greatly influenced his
employees. I have always been proud to work for him, from the
Sandiganbayan, un l he realized his dream of becoming the Chief
Jus ce of the Supreme Court. His influence went beyond me and
even reached one of my daughters, who is currently taking up
Bachelor of Laws. Indubitably, Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta truly
embodies his most revered slogan – Live By Example.
Chief Jus ce Peralta is the reason why my faith in the Government,
par cularly in the Judiciary, has been restored. Indeed, it is a pleasure
and a privilege to work directly for Chief Jus ce Peralta, an epitome
of a public servant. I shall always treasure and appreciate those 18
years of working for you, Sir.
Thank you very much Chief Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta. May our
God always bless you with everything that is good and beau ful, and
may He always protect you and grant you good health. Good luck, Sir
and may you enjoy your re rement from office. Cheers! - Flerida B.
Lim, Execu ve Assistant III
I am deeply grateful and privileged to be a part of the workforce
of then Associate Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta un l his appointment
in the Supreme Court as the Chief Jus ce.
The Chief Jus ce is an epitome of dedica on to the law
profession. One can only admire his intelligence, tenaciousness and
determina on and these made him an icon in the Judiciary. He is not
only a brilliant Chief Jus ce and jurist, but he is also a man whose
inspiring life story and courageous leadership transcends law, poli cs
and government. His unparalleled legacy and impact on people will
never be forgo en.
I recall that it was when I was under him when I was promoted
in the Sandiganbayan and likewise in the Supreme Court. I cannot
forget all the help that you have been extending to me, Sir! Chief
Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta, Mabuhay po kayo! - Jano D. Del Rosario,
Execu ve Assistant III
I have o en heard the saying that it is more important to work for
a good boss rather than a good organiza on. This is because a good
boss will make a difference to your career. His aura not only inspires,
but he also propels others to success in their endeavors.
Dear Chief Jus ce, this announcement really came as a surprise
to me. You had more than a year le in your closet. Nevertheless, I
know God has be er plans, but I guess you have be er plans.
Working as part of your staff has been a great experience not
only professionally, but also personally. Thank you! I will cherish the
life lessons that you have shared during our casual talks, and the law
lectures you have given. (You keep forge ng that I am not a lawyer,
but I thank you for those lectures because I have learned so much).
You always exude excellence in everything that you do. Thank you
for maintaining harmony and balance at work, despite the heavy
workload and our constant annoyance which you have to bear from
me to me. My heart and soul are in so much be er space right
now, all because of your guidance and trust! You have always been
a breath of fresh air who always want the best for your staff! You
have been a phenomenal leader in the Court, as well as a loving boss,
who made everyone their best version of themselves. You handled
everything with grace, poise, and dignity.
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Thank you for the kindness, support and inspira on that you have
given to the employees of the Court, especially to us, your staff, and
to me! I will forever be grateful to the Almighty for the opportunity
to have worked with you!
I only wish the best for you, Sir! – Ma. Victoria S. Rivera, PET
Supervising Judicial Staff Officer
At the outset, I would like to say that it has been my honor and
a privilege to work for you, Sir, for 12 years. Thank you, Sir, for your
pa ence and soothing words of encouragement whenever I commit
mistakes in the performance of my job. You have ins lled within me
such kind of discipline which had been crucial in molding me to an
efficient worker that I am today. Through your strong moral guidance
and supervision, I was able to accomplish the tasks assigned to me
with ease and facility.
I’ve always admired your dedica on and passion in performing
your noble du es and responsibili es, working for many hours
each day just to insure that jus ce is dispensed with properly and
effec vely. I look up and regard you, Sir, as my second Father whom
I will always respect and revere. You have inspired me to become
a be er version of a judiciary employee, mirroring your honesty,
integrity and diligence. Thank you, Sir, for your generosity and for
your con nuous assistance.
I wish you all the best on your re rement because you deserve
nothing less. May God always bless you and your family. - Ramir M.
Magno, Execu ve Assistant III
I consider it un mely for you to go on an early re rement at a
me when we need you most in the Judiciary. This is because you
have achieved so much for the best interest of the public service,
the Judiciary and its personnel in just a li le more than a year as
Chief Magistrate, even during this pandemic. To men on a few, the
novel Judiciary Public Assistance Sec on you created enabled you to
easily reach out to the public and quickly act on their concerns. You
then implemented the opera on of the Judicial Integrity Board to curb
corrup on and promote integrity in the Judiciary. Congratula ons,
Chief Jus ce, for a job well done!
As my boss for many years, I am a living tes mony of your
impressive discipline and outstanding brand of leadership by
example. You report to office early morning and go home a er
dusk. Many mes you even wake up at 2:00 A.M. to study and review
the cases for delibera on before going to office. You me culously
examine our reports and recommenda on and mo vate us to do
our tasks accurately and promptly. While you are strict in our work
performance, you are also kind-hearted and quick to extend help
to us in mes of need. Your admirable passion for jus ce, your
commitment for excellence and integrity, and your kindness– which
are worthy of emula on–are the best and las ng gi s you have given
me.
Thank you, Chief Jus ce Peralta! I will surely miss your goodness,
your laughter and, of course, the sight of your regal bearing when
you walk along the corridors of the Supreme Court. You are unique
and one of a special kind. God bless you and keep you! - Jose Max P.
Quipit, former Execu ve Assistant V
Today, we celebrate the birth of a man who is not only our boss,
dis nguished lecturer and jurist, he is likewise a mentor to many of us.
His generosity in helping out law students, lawyers, judges, Jus ces
and other peers in the Judiciary has made him a sought-a er adviser Chief Jus ce, and may the good Lord con nue to bless you and your
as well. en re family. - Sandra Pendon, PET Judicial Staff Officer V

I thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn under your
guidance, many of the decisions you penned enriched our legal
jurisprudence for genera ons to come. Your dedica on and passion
to update the procedural rules of the court, along with many other
equally important projects, truly is a testament of your desire to
leave a las ng legacy for all who come to court.
I sincerely wish you all the best, sir and we shall all miss you! -
Pernell Pacapac, Execu ve Assistant IV
We wish you a wonderful future with lots of me to enjoy yourself
together with your family, friends, rela ves and hobbies. You’ve done
so much for all of us, especially for our family for the past 10 years.
We also wish you nothing, but the best of health and happiness for
this new chapter in your life.
We would also like to express our sincere gra tude to Madam
Jus ce Audrey Peralta for her trust and kindness. Chief Jus ce,
you are an inspira on to us! Congratula ons and enjoy your well-
deserved re rement.
"Anyone can be a boss around but it takes someone special to
be a leader." Thank you for being such a great leader Chief Jus ce
Diosdado M. Peralta. - Bryan M. Austria, Execu ve Assistant III and
Ara Janica Maxell A. Austria, Judicial Staff Assistant II
Happy Re rement po, Chief Jus ce! Thank you po for your
generosity and for your con nuous assistance to me and to all your
staff. Especially for helping us find work even a er you re red. It has
been an honor and privilege to work with you directly for more than
10 years. You're always in my prayers po, Chief, together with your
family. - Ma hew Dellosa, Records Officer II
It is a big privilege to be part of your Admin. Staff. Thank you po,
Chief for the trust you have given me. And thank you so much po for
your concern to me and to my colleagues, making sure that we have
jobs before you re re and even now you're s ll concerned about how
we're doing which I did not see in the past bosses I worked with. God
bless you po, Chief, with good health. - Alberto R. Jimena, Clerk IV
Dear CJ Peralta, I am really grateful to be part of your OCJ family.
Even though it was only for a short-term period, I am very proud of
you Chief. I am very thankful for all the help that you've done for us.
Chief, mayroon akong memorable experience nang maging
Chairman po kayo sa Bar. Nag-serve po ako at nabansagan nyo nga
po akong BIKO. Hahaha! Kasi sa amin nag-o order ng biko pang
merienda sa Bar at ako po yung hinimatay sa last day ng Bar sa
picture-taking. Embarrassing experience pero memorable kasi nakita
ko po ‘yung concern nyo po. Thank you again, Chief and to Jus ce
Fernanda and to your family. - Ma. Era A. Or z, Messenger
Hi Chief, thank you for le ng me be part of your OCJ family. I’m
so blessed and grateful for all the things that you’ve done for us.
I remember the me that you gave me a document to proofread
then praised me for having “eagle eyes” because I spo ed even the
niest, li le errors. Even now, I s ll admire you for your hard work
and dedica on. Thank you for everything! – Christopher Kevin G.
Marasigan, Court Stenographer III
I would like to express my gra tude and pleasure for having given
me the opportunity to serve you. I will forever be grateful that you
have given me the chance to be your employee and to serve you.
Wishing you good health and happiness po, Chief. Thank you so
much po, Chief, both to you and your family. - Kent Andre I. Tarrayo,
Judicial Staff Employee
It was a great experience to work with a boss like you. Thank you
for the support, generosity, and especially for the big opportunity
that you've given us. I will be forever grateful to have the opportunity
to work under your management and guidance. Even though you
had already re red, you s ll manage to give me to see us and ask us
how we are. You are the best boss among the best and for that, we
miss you so much and will never ever forget you. Thank you so much,
Chief! - John Paul G. Pantua, U lity Worker II

Thank you po, Chief for giving me the opportunity to be part

of your Admin. Staff. Throughout your en re career, you have
never forgo en your staff, from the Judicial Staff Head down to the
administra ve staff, as you have always strived to help us to the best
of your abili es and have helped us have jobs before your re rement.
Even a er your re rement, you s ll gave us ayuda. I will always be
praying for your health and happiness as you enjoy your re rement.
Thank you po, Chief! - Herman R. Argana, Judicial Staff Assistant II

There is so much to be said about the accomplishments of Chief

Jus ce Diosdado M. Peralta as a public servant, but I’m sure I will
not have the me to enumerate even some of his achievements as a
lawyer, member of the academe, Jus ce of the Sandiganbayan and
Chief Jus ce of the Supreme Court. So I will just say something about
him as a boss/superior, CJ Peralta is quite strict, which I believe can
be a good thing, such mindset and ways make one take his job with
serious and honest dedica on. Although I’ve only been in his office
for five months, I’ve learned that he genuinely cares for the welfare
of his staff. Since he opted for an early re rement, he however, was
quick to help in endorsing most of us to another office just so that
our service will not be cut, that is probably the side of him that a lot
of the Supreme Court employees do not know. Happy re rement Mr.
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 CHIEF JUSTICE PERALTA,
THE PROFESSOR by Jose Salvador A. Zenarosa
A
  tall, imposing figure makes a turn to our corridor with a gait that was
purposeful yet relaxed. “Andyan na si Fiscal Peralta (Fiscal Peralta is
coming)!” came the ominous call to the class as they scamper about to
their respec ve seats. Me and my buddy, Andrew Mangrobang, had been outside
the classroom smoking (it was 1989) and were about to ditch our cigare es when our
professor mo oned us to stop as he lit his own s ck of Marlboro reds. He began to make
small talk and said to me at mid-puff, “Ang ganda ng sapatos mo, a. Florsheim 'yan,
ano? (Nice shoes. Those are Florsheims, right?)” I simply nodded. They were cordovan
brogues and I was almost certain that he knew that it was a hand-me-down from my
Dad, and that it was a full size smaller than what I normally wore. I swear my shoes felt
even ghter at that moment. You see, he had always been a na y dresser and any kind of
valida on from him in that regard was certainly worth wri ng about. And now 32 years
later, here we are.
A y. Mangrobang recalls his own moment of approval.
“During my second year in law school, Chief Jus ce Peralta,
then Fiscal Peralta, was my professor in Transporta on. I was
called to recite and discuss a case involving the nature of
franchises for public u lity vehicles. The first thing he asked
about the case was its ponente, perhaps to test if I had read
the full text of the decision, which I did. So, when I was able to
name the ponente, he said 'okay ka bata, a' (you're okay, kid).
So typically Dado (his students' choice term of endearment).
The next fellow wasn’t so lucky. The Chief Jus ce asked him
about the dissen ng opinion.”
Professor Peralta had earned a reputa on for being a
“terror” - one that delights in seeing his students sweat. He
was feared by most students because he had been known to
fail half of his class. In fact, some students would get crea ve
with their schedules and transfer to other sec ons only to
discover the then Assistant Prosecutor of Manila wai ng for
them shuffling their class cards in the other class. It was not
for the faint of heart.
To his credit, Professor Peralta managed to make a tawdry
two-unit subject like Transporta on Law engaging enough
with his dedica on, enthusiasm, and punch of humor. Na onal
Labor Rela ons Commissioner Mary Ann Plata-Day a recalls
that Chief Jus ce Peralta's class was both challenging and fun
– a rare combina on in law school.
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He also had an excep onal memory. Commissioner Plata-
Day a shares: “I was surprised and fla ered when our paths
crossed a dozen years or so later in 2001. I was working as
a Branch Clerk of Court, and he was then Presiding Judge of
Branch 95 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City. To my
glee, he instantly remembered me, and even called me by my
maiden name.” Just recently, when the officers of the University
of Santo Tomas Law Alumni Founda on, Inc. (USTLAFI) of
which Commissioner Plata-Day a is a Trustee, took their oath
at the Supreme Court, she could not believe her ears when
she heard the Chief Jus ce sharing a familiar story. “It was
the story of my supposed 'TOTGA (the-one-that-got-away).'
It’s like an embarrassing secret being told, and yet I couldn't
help but laugh it off hearing him relay the drama in its sordid
details,” Commissioner Day a smiles. “This, to me, is who and
how CJ Peralta is as a person, and as a man of the law. His
excep onal memory, not just as to ma ers pertaining to law
and jurisprudence, but also as to interpersonal rela onships,
speak much of his brilliance. I will forever be grateful for having
known him as a writer, a legal luminary, and as a mentor.”
A y. Joseph Cerezo had always looked up to the Chief
Jus ce. “CJ Peralta was the most popular professor at UST
because of his enviable sartorial taste. From the shoes, socks,
suits, and es that he wore, the students are unanimously
awed and perhaps subconsciously cul vated a secret desire to
be like him someday.” But A y. Cerezo quickly adds that this
is just icing on the cake. “Aside
from his impeccable fashion
sense, CJ Peralta is also very
passionate about teaching.
He would try to bring out the
best in you by asking the most
difficult and out of this world
ques ons. As a professor, he
has a photographic memory.
He has no notes and he gives
his lectures without memory
aids. He also knows where you
were seated during the last
mee ng and what silly answers
you gave during recita on.”

A y. Cerezo recalls a turning

point while he was serving as
President of the UST Faculty
of Civil Law's student council
of which Chief Jus ce Peralta
was the adviser. “At that me,
my fellow officers and I staged
a walk-out and rally due to an
unjus fied tui on increase
in the university. As a result,
an inves ga on panel was
created, and I was singled
out to suffer the penalty of
suspension. I was successful
enough to get a temporary
restraining order from the RTC
of Manila. When I returned to
my classes, the CJ and I had a
heart-to-heart talk. He told me
that he appreciated my courage
to fight for worthy causes,
but he advised me to balance
things and be prudent. He told
me that he believes that I will be a good lawyer someday and His subject was indeed challenging, but it urged us to study
he implored upon me to focus and concentrate on my studies harder. It was from that moment that I respected him more.
first-- 'Joseph, you are here because you want to be a lawyer. Because of him, our founda on in law was deeply grounded
Be a lawyer and you will be able to help more people.' With which eventually led us to become the lawyers that we are
those words from a person I truly admired, I became a lawyer.” today.”

So inspired was A y. Cerezo that he, too, became a professor
and even asked the Chief Jus ce to be his ninong (godfather)
when he got married. The Cerezos recently celebrated their
silver wedding anniversary.
“I dis nctly remember our first day of class [in Criminal
Law I] when he advised us to take advantage of the recita ons
because they are easier compared to the exams,” recalls A y.
Frankie Magsalin. “Soon, we learned that recita ons were
not easy; neither were his exams. We were even told to open
our criminal law books during exams, yet we couldn't find the
answers in any of those books either. He even told us to take
home the ques onnaires as he does not repeat his exams.
A y. Arnold Frane wasn't quite as fortunate. He had
excelled in most of his classes but got a failing mark in Criminal
Law II from Professor Peralta. It came as a surprise to his
classmates, but not to Arnold who took ownership of his
mistakes and enrolled in the same subject the following
semester. In as much as he wanted to redeem himself in
the same playing field, the class was taught by another
professor. His shot at redemption came a year later when
he and the future Chief Justice faced each other again in
Practicum.
Many years later in 2001, Atty. Frane’s and the Chief
Justice's paths would cross anew. This time at the Office of

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the Solicitor General in Makati where, as Solicitor, he and
then Judge Peralta would engage in small talk while the
latter waited for his wife, then Assistant Solicitor General
Fernanda Lampas Peralta.

But not everyone took failing in his class as graciously.

There were loose talk of picking on students who he thought
to be too flashy or arrogant and putting them in their place;
of lifting exam questions from previous Bar exams; of
sending students out of the class for wearing shorts even
if it was on a Saturday. There is even an urban legend that
for the first time, he passed an entire class as payback to a
promise he made to the gods for the safe delivery of his first-
born. It is well to note that all these are unsubstantiated
and/or fall within the professor's discretion.
Atty. Jeffrey Juanengo suffered the ignominy of having his
name used as a punchline for the entire semester in Criminal
Law II. “As in all the crimes in Book II of the Revised Penal
Code. He would start with, ‘for example, Mr. Juanengo...,’”
Jeffrey recalls. “I didn't take offense to it because I felt as
though he just wanted to make the class laugh. It was okay
because he was kind naman all the time. In hindsight, it
might have even helped. I did well in Criminal Law in the
Bar exams.” At least Atty. Juanengo had the last laugh.
USTLAFI Trustee Atty. Frankie Magsalin echoes the
sentiments of Professor Peralta's students through the
years, “To this day, I am immensely grateful for the lessons
and wisdom he had inculcated in me, and for reinforcing the
belief that hard work truly pays off.”
The Chief Justice has kept mum on his plans after he
formally bows out of the Judiciary, a year before the curtain
falls. While speculations are rife, it is undeniable that his
knowledge and mastery of the law, of the rules, and of their
nuanced interconnectedness, should not be wasted on
writing post-game memoirs just yet.
At the end of a recent meeting on the details of his
retirement ceremonies, I had the chance to be alone with
the Chief and felt bold enough to ask. While he did say
that he looks forward to spending more time at home with
family, he declared as a matter-of-factly, “I will teach.” Just
hearing him say it made perfect sense. The Chief Justice is in
his best element whenever he is on professor mode.

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