SC mourns passing of retired Justice Nazario, first woman Sandiganbayan presiding justice

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has announced the passing of retired Associate Justice Justice Minita Chico-Nazario.

On Friday, the SC Public Information Office said Nazario passed away on February 16 at the age of 82. It did not disclose the reason of her passing.

"The Supreme Court and the entire Judiciary join the loved ones of the late Hon. Justice Minita V. Chico-Nazario in mourning her death. We offer our sincere and deep condolences and prayers. Justice Nazario will always be remembered as one of those who broke barriers in the history of the Philippine Judiciary," Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said.

Nazario was the first presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan promoted to the high court and the first female magistrate from the anti-graft court, the SC PIO added.

She served the government for 47 years — five years of which were spent as SC justice from 2004 to 2009. Prior to joining the Judiciary, she worked as social secretary of then Justice Secretary Juan Liwag from 1962 to 1963.

She later served as clerk at the City Fiscal’s Office Manila and as Legal Researcher and Special Deputy Clerk of Court of the Court of First Instance Branch III, Pasay City.

In May 1973, Nazario transferred to the SC Judicial Reports and Statistics Division, marking the start of her work in the Court.

She moved to the Sandiganbayan in 1981, as First Division Clerk of Court and transferred to the Regional Trial Court Judge of Branch 25, Biñan, Laguna in 1987.

Nazario returned to the Sandiganbayan in 1993, and, after a decade, was named presiding justice.

"As Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice, Justice Nazario instituted a number of judicial reforms. She signed a health insurance contract to ensure the hospitalization benefits of each employee of the anti-graft court," the SC PIO said.

The move was also replicated when she got promoted to the high court as the SC subsequently inked a contract with a health maintenance organization to service the needs of the Justices, officials, and employees.

After retiring from the SC, Nazario became legal consultant and independent director of private firms. She also served as the dean of the College of Law of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Las Piñas City.