Serafin Cuevas 'icon of the legal profession'

MANILA, Philippines - Former members of the defense team of former chief justice Renato Corona are mourning the sudden death of their lead counsel, Justice Serafin Cuevas, on Monday.

Lawyers Rico Paolo Quicho, Joel Bodegon and Tranquil Salvador III remember Cuevas as a true litigator who knew the law like the back of his hand.

Saddened by Cuevas' death, Quicho said he remembers the former magistrate's “wit and charm that captured the nation's approval during the impeachment.”

“I can never forget the intense defense meetings and light moments spent together. He is a true advocate, patriot and icon of the legal profession. Justice Cuevas showed by example how to be firm, uncompromising and humble,” said Quicho, who also acted as spokesman of the impeachment defense team.

Quicho posted on social networking Instagram a photo showing him and Cuevas discussing strategies at the Senate, when it convened as an impeachment court during the Corona trial.

“As I said in my IG account, we fought the good fight and I will always remember all the values he shared to us,” he added.

“I cannot forget an instance during the impeachment when JPE berated him. Justice Cuevas remained cool, composed and a true gentleman,” Quicho said, referring to then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who sat as the impeachment court's presiding judge.

Quicho said Cuevas will forever be in his heart.

Bodegon’s fond memories of Cuevas started when he was his professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) college of law.

“He was a spirited and inspiring teacher, who regaled us with his prosecution of high profile criminal cases as then City Fiscal of Manila,” Bodegon said.

Like his former colleagues at the defense team, Bodegon said it was an honor for him to have worked with Cuevas as part of the defense team in the Corona impeachment trial.

“…we should have won had there been no tampering of the proceedings. He will certainly be missed by the legal community,” Bodegon said.

As far as Salvador is concerned, Cuevas was a true litigator who has had a mastery of the rules of court more particularly the evidence and the allowable objections.

“In formulating his theory he sees to it that it is within the boundaries of the law and jurisprudence. It was an honor to work with him,” Salvador said.

As lead counsel during the Corona trial, Salvador said Cuevas saw the importance of consensus-building before the team made a decision.

"The view of everyone in the team matters to him," noted Salvador, who was also a spokesman during the impeachment trial.

Senator Sonny Angara, who was part of the Corona prosecution team as one of its spokesmen, believes that Cuevas was a very formidable defense counsel.

“Hardly anything escaped his attention. We would often remark he was like a wall--anything you threw his way came back to you. He was confident and thorough in his preparation, often citing Supreme Court cases from memory,” Angara said.

Despite the many days of hard arguments, Angara said Cuevas also always had a ready smile for his opposing counsels after trial work was done.

“He will be remembered with a mix of respect, fondness and admiration,” Angara added.

Enrile and Sen. Francis Escudero also offered prayers and condolences to Cuevas’ family.

Enrile said he is writing a letter of condolence to impart his sentiments on Cuevas’ passing.