Judge Filomeno Barcenilla Ybanez, Carcar, Cebu
Filomeno B. Ybanez was born on November 29, 1887 in Carcar, Cebu. His parents were Don Agapito Ybanez and Dona Concepcion Barcenilla, both of Carcar, Cebu.
Filomeno finished his basic education at the Carcar Elementary School and his high school at the town's high school but he earned his Bachelor of Laws at the Philippine Law College in Manila. He was admitted to the Bar on January 29, 1925.
Filomeno served the nation as Judge of the Court of First Instance of Cebu, Bukidnon, and Bohol. He became president of the Court of First Instance Judges of Cebu.
Among the many cases handled by Judge Filomeno that reached the Supreme Court was "People of the Philippines versus Filomeno B. Ybanez, Judge of the Court of First Instance of Bukidnon, Teofilo Salcedo and Melecio Quirab" decided by the Supreme Court on April 20, 1953.
The case was an original petition by the Provincial Fiscal of Bukidnon, later substituted by the People of the Philippines, against Judge Ybanez who in a criminal he presided for falsification of a public document refused to grant the discharge of accused Melecio Quirab who intends to testify against his co accused.
Justice Tuason speaking in behalf of the Supreme Court in dismissing the case against Judge Ybanez wrote: "In the light of all the circumstances, Judge Ibanez (Ybanez) made, in our opinion, a wise and cautious exercise of his judgment on the motion under consideration. We see no indication in the entire proceedings other than good faith, circumspection and the will on the part of the court to see that ends of justice were served and the limitations of the Rules of Court observed. His Honor's order deserves commendation rather than condemnation and reversal."
The siblings of Judge Filomeno also became successful professionals, his brother, Vicente became a Doctor, while his other two brothers, Antonio also became a lawyer (admitted to the Bar on January 29, 1925) and like him also became a Judge, the other brother, Gabriel (admitted to the Bar on February 7, 1928) also became a lawyer and a Judge.
Judge Filomeno married a lawyer whom he met in Manila her name was Catalina Solidum (the first woman lawyer of the Province of Aklan, she was admitted to the Bar on December 14, 1929)). Catalina was Assistant Provincial Fiscal of Cebu for 17 years, thereafter she was appointed as Judge. Catalina was a pro bono legal counsel of the Colegio dela Immaculada Concepcion and the Catholic Womens League. Judge Catalina for her pious and faithful service to the Roman Catholic Church was conferred the PRO ET PONTIFICE ECCLESIA award. Catalina also served Cebu City as City Councilor after World War II. Her contemporaries in the Municipal Board were Marcos M. Morelos, Filemon R. Zapanta, Cresencio Tomakin, Paciente S. Villa, Juan C. Seno, Jose P. Nolasco and Jovito Abellana. This was during the Mayorship of Atty. Miguel Raffinan.
Judge Filomeno and Judge Catalina had six children who just like their ascendants continued the clan's legacy of academic excellence and service to the government and community:
Monsignor Pastor S. Ybanez (deceased), Atty. Remberto S. Ybanez (admitted to the Bar on February 28, 1958), Dr. Gumersindo S. Ybanez (deceased), Prof. Concepcion Ybanez-Koch, Trifona Ybanez-Palmares, Certified Public Accountant and Atty. Nicetas S. Ybanez (admitted to the Bar on March 17, 1967), who served as President of FIDA (Federacion Internationale de Abogadas) Cebu Chapter, Past President of Angel Society of Cebu, Chairman PRO-LIFE and FAMILY Volunteers and Vice Prefect of Cursillo Movement, Mambaling, Cebu.
Judge Filomeno Barcenilla Ybanez, the pride of Carcar who lived with honor and dignity returned to his Creator on December 6, 1962.
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