‘Gray Dean’ Narvasa, 84

MANILA, Philippines - Retired chief justice Andres Narvasa died yesterday morning, the Supreme Court announced. He was 84.

Narvasa, who had been hospitalized, died of infections caused by pneumonia.

His remains lie at the Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish in Quezon City, where a necrological service was held last night.

Dubbed as the “Gray Dean” by the media for his signature salt-and-pepper crew cut, Narvasa was the only chief justice in the post-EDSA Revolution era to administer the oath of two elected presidents – Fidel Ramos in 1992 and Joseph Estrada in 1998.

He was also the general counsel of the historic Agrava fact-finding commission, which investigated the killing of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on Aug. 21, 1983.

Acting Chief Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. said the SC pays tribute to Narvasa for his “legacy in judicial reform and excellence.”

“As associate justice, he penned decisions with clarity and substance. As chief justice, he led the Court by example, displaying integrity and wisdom, and serving as a model for justices and judges to emulate,” he said in a statement.

Velasco recalled how Narvasa served as “agent of change” in the high court by “ensuring speedy justice for litigants by instituting reforms in court procedures and constantly evaluating the court machinery to see how it could be improved.”

The late former President Corazon Aquino appointed Narvasa to the SC on April 10, 1986. He was the 19th chief justice and served from Dec. 8, 1991 until his retirement on Nov. 30, 1998.

He finished law at the University of Sto. Tomas in 1951, magna cum laude, and was second in the Bar exams in the same year. He later became dean of the college.

Narvasa also earned doctor of laws degrees from UST, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Angeles University Foundation.

“He carried over his penchant for academic excellence into the judiciary, where the long-planned Philippine Judicial Academy became a reality under his watch, with its mission to upgrade and improve the education of judges,” the SC said.

Narvasa was also known for his expertise in arbitration, constitutional law, and conflict of law. He served as Estrada’s counsel during his plunder trial at the Sandiganbayan.

Narvasa returned to the government in 1999 when Estrada appointed him chairman of the Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform, an independent commission tasked to propose positive modifications in the Charter.

Condolences

Malacañang extended its condolences to the family of Narvasa. – With Delon Porcalla