BORN on November 22, 1913, the late Supreme Court Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma achieved much in her lifetime. After obtaining a law degree from the University of the Philippines (UP), she topped the Bar examinations in 1937 with a rating of 92.6 percent. She went on to obtain two master of laws degrees. She was subsequently conferred nine honorary doctorates, seven of them in law, by universities here and abroad.
Justice Palma was the first woman Prosecutor (in Quezon City in 1947) and the first woman District Judge (in 1954), serving in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental, and later Laguna and San Pablo City. Her stint as judge took her away from her family, and it was her commitment to her work, her willingness to accept hardship and sacrifice, and her ability to still be a responsible mother that proved that women could indeed do the job. She was appointed as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals and, later in 1973, as the first woman Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
Justice Palma received many awards and commendations for her integrity, professionalism, and dedication to the strengthening of Philippine democracy. These included the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross from Pope Paul VI in 1977, the Catholic Mass Media Award (CMMA) for outstanding public service in 1978, the Ninoy Aquino Movement Award given in Chicago, Illinois, in 1985; the Sagisag ng Kagitingan Award in 1978; and the Most Distinguished Alumna Award from the UP Alumni Association in 1974.
She was at the helm of several professional and civic organizations, among them the Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines where she was served as President, and the Women Lawyers Association of the Philippines Free Legal Aid Clinic, of which she was the founder.
Last year, Justice Palma joined an elite roster of women in the global list of Women Who Make a Difference of the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame. She was cited for her conviction and courage that were brought to the fore during the dark years of martial law. After retiring from the Supreme Court in 1978, she continued fighting for truth and justice, opting for constructive participation by running for – and winning – a seat in the 1984 Batasang Pambansa, representing Quezon City. Subsequently, she served as President of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the country’s Constitution.
We extend our condolences and sympathies to the family of former Supreme Court Justice and President of the 1986 Philippine Constitutional Commission Cecilia Muñoz Palma, her children Pearl, Tady, and Gustav, and other relatives, and together with them pray for the eternal repose of her soul.
May she rest in peace.
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