The Visayans of the Supreme Court

So far, two Cebuanos have had the privilege of having been appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, they were Marcelo Briones Fernan, from July 1, 1988 to December 6, 1991 (a nephew of the jurist, writer and legislator, Manuel C. Briones, more known as M.C. Briones). Fernan was the son of Wenceslao Fernan, a judge of the Court of First Instance and Margarita Briones. The second bridge connecting Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City is named after him, so was the Palace of Justice in Cebu City. He married Eloisa Nolasco. He died on July 11, 1999.

The second Cebuano to be appointed as chief justice is Hilario Gelbolingo Davide Jr., from November 30, 1998 to December 20, 2005. He was the son of Hilario Davide Sr., a Division of Schools Superintendent and Josefa Gelbolingo, also a public school teacher. Davide married Virginia Perez. A son namesake, Hilario III was elected Governor of Cebu in 2013 and reelected in 2016.

Pedro L. Yap, the 17th chief justice, though born in San Isidro, Leyte, is considered a Cebuano having had a dual residence in Cebu. He married Flora del Rosario. He was the chief justice who served the shortest, from April 18, to July 1, 1988.

The other Visayan chief justices (the first chief justice, Cayetano Arellano, June 11, 1901 to April 20, 1920, was from Bataan) were Victorino Mapa, the second chief justice whose term was from April 23, 1920 to October 21, 1921, was from Kalibo, Capiz (now Aklan).

Ramon Avanceña, the fourth chief justice, was from Molo, Iloilo. He served from April 1, 1925 to December 24, 1941. He was the son of Lucas Avanceña and Petra Quirosay.

Jose Yulo, the sixth chief justice, was the son of spouses Sofronio Yulo and Segunda Yap of Bago, Negros Occidental. Yulo married Cecilia Sitchon Araneta also of Western Visayas. His second wife was Tomasa Lopez. Yulo served as chief justice from February 5, 1942 to February 1944.

Felix V. Makasiar, the 14th chief justice was the son of Agustin Makasiar and Petra Valencia and born in Siaton, Negros Occidental. He finished his elementary at the Bacong Elementary School, the birthplace of the revolutionary hero, Pantaleon Villegas, more known as Leon Kilat.