SC bids farewell to Narvasa

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday bade farewell to former chief justice Andres Narvasa with full honors in memorial rites highlighting his unquestioned integrity and legacy of judicial reform.

Narvasa’s successor, retired chief justice Hilario Davide Jr., said Narvasa was an “intellectual heavyweight” whom members of the judiciary and lawyers had accorded with high respect and admiration.

In his eulogy, Davide said Narvasa had kept his integrity as he never fraternized or favored any politician during his 12 years in the high court.

He also recalled their “ideal working relationship” during their seven years together in the SC.

“I was a personal witness to the greatness of his heart and soul. In all that he did, we witnessed manifestations of God’s abiding presence,” Davide said.

He condoled with Narvasa’s children, saying their father is now “incorruptible and immortal.”

Narvasa’s legacy in the high tribunal is known not only to his contemporaries but also to the current members of SC led by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

Although she was still a law professor when Narvasa was chief justice, Sereno recalled how he had “humility and generosity in spirit of a truly great man.”

The incumbent SC chief said she admires Narvasa’s “passion for judicial reforms.”

“In every step of progress that the judiciary makes, he will be there. He was the epitome of a true Filipino leader,” she said in her eulogy.

Wonderful singer

In response, Narvasa’s son Gregorio II thanked the SC for honoring their late father, who died of infection caused by pneumonia last Oct. 31.

Gregorio, a lawyer, shared a side of the late chief justice unknown to many people: that he was “a wonderful singer, with a wonderful baritone voice to calm and relax you.”

He revealed that his father even recorded a compact disc of eight songs for their mother, Janina Yuseco. He gave a copy of the CD to Sereno.

Narvasa’s cremated remains stayed at the SC session hall from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. where members of the judiciary and employees, as well as the public, paid their last respects.

Around 175 uniformed men from Camp Crame’s Headquarters Support Services, including its escort and honor company, showed up to render tribute to Narvasa.

A portion of Padre Faura Street – from the University of the Philippines Manila to the Department of Justice – was closed to traffic in the morning to allow for the formal honors.

The urn was then brought to Narvasa’s residence where the family will hold vigil until Friday, when the cremated remains will be interred at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish Church in New Manila, Quezon City. – With Jose Rodel Clapano