Judge Alejandro Ecarma, the pride of San Remegio
Alejandro was a pre-World War II lawyer and Justice of the Peace. He was admitted to the Bar on November 13, 1933. He was the son of Constancio Cabatania Ecarma and Agapita Senining Ruedas. Alejandro was born on March 13, 1905 in San Remegio where he finished his elementary education. Alejandro was fondly called by relatives and friends as Dandoy. He finished his high school at the Cebu Provincial School now known as the Abellana National School.
Alejandro, three years after his admission to the Bar, was appointed Municipal Judge of Tuburan (1936) and retired as Municipal Judge of Naval, Province of Biliran. He retired at the age of 67, on March 13, 1972. He was forced to resign because of Parkinsons Disease.
He sought compensation under the Workmens Compensation Commission as he contracted the disease because of the strenuous and vigorous task of being a judge. The referee granted Judge Ecarma's compensation for permanent and total disability. This was granted in a decision dated September 1, 1975. The Commission however denied the granting of the compensation awarded by the Referee.
Judge Ecarma sought for a reconsideration of the decision of the Commission on November 27, 1975, this was dismissed by the Workmens Compensation Commission for lack of merit. Judge Ecarma assisted by his lawyer son, Alex Versosa Ecarma (admitted to the Bar on February 9, 1961, this time the family settled in Naval, Biliran formerly part of the Province of Leyte).
The Supreme Court was convinced of the plea of Judge Ecarma and on January 31, 1978 set aside the decision of the Workmens Compensation Commission and reinstated the referees award and decision. Noteworthy of the decision is that the Supreme Court increased the award of the attorneys fees to 10 percent. It was not only a triumph for the family, Atty. Alex successfully achieving justice for his father but educating the Workmens Compensation Commission of Parkinsons disease.
Judge Alejandro married Dr. Aurora Versosa Ecarma (born on December 2, 1908 and died on June 12, 1993). They produced worthy sons and daughters of San Remegio (although others settled in Naval, Biliran, as the Ecarma's were originally from Naval) namely: Alex (born on November 4, 1933, who became a lawyer), Jesus, Leonides (who became a lawyer the same his elder brother Alex did on February 9, 1961), Eduardo (chose San Remegio as his residence, also became a lawyer on February 6, 1963) Ceasar (also became a lawyer on March 6, 1964, he chose Naval, Biliran as his address as member of the Bar), Captain Virgilio, Oscar, Dr. Sonia and Dr. Chuchie, an OB Consultant of Chong Hua Hospital.
The eldest brother of Judge Alejandro was Alfonso (who married Victoria Sincero). Another brother, Natalio who became a Colonel, was the 1stPhilippine Constabulary graduate of San Remegio, Cebu. His sons, Renato and Rodolfo became generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A grandson and namesake, Lt. Gen. Natalio Ecarma III, became Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense.
Brothers, Renato A. Ecarma and Rodolfo A. Ecarma of San Remegio became laywers on the same day on February 6, 1963, while Melanio G. Ecarma became a lawyer on March 21, 1966.
The noble heart of public service of the Ecarma Clan did not end with the death of Judge Alejandro on July 2, 1977, his brothers and with their children, but continues even with his grandchildren. A grandson of Alfonso (the eldest brother of Judge Alejandro), John Paul Ecarma Manues is the Co-Founder of Gualandi Volunteer Service Programme Inc., champions for the rights and welfare of the Deaf Community of the Philippines. The mother of J.P. Ecarma Manues, Dr. Myrna used to work with the Cebu City Health Department and took care of the Health Centers of Barangays Ermita, Ramos, San Nicolas, Duljo Fatima, and Tisa.
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