Supreme Court Chief Justice Leonardo de Castro on Friday formally bowed out of her illustrious career in the government spanning 45 years from both the executive and judicial branches and capped by her 44 days as top magistrate.
The Supreme Court held its retirement ceremony for De Castro who will turn 70 years old on Oct. 10, the compulsory retirement age for members of the judiciary.
During her valedictory address, De Castro traced her legal and judicial career, and also acknowledged the love and support of her family.
She also noted the lack of collegiality in decision-making on administrative matters during the last few years and enumerated the many things that she had accomplished in 44 days as chief justice, according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who attended the retirement rites for the first female top magistrate.
De Castro was appointed Chief Justice by President Duterte on Aug. 25, 2018 following the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno whose appointment as Chief Justice was nullified by the SC in quo warranto proceedings.
The retiring top magistrate has served the government for 45 years both in its executive and judicial branches. She joined the SC as associate justice on Dec. 4, 2007.
Her public service career started in 1973 when she was appointed law clerk at the SC’s Office of the Clerk of Court and occupied positions as legal/judicial assistant and member of the technical staff of the late Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro.
De Castro transferred to the Department of Justice in 1978 and served as state counsel and later as assistant chief state counsel.
From 1988 to 1997, she was designated as one of the international and peace negotiators of the late President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino and President Fidel V. Ramos who awarded her the Presidential Medal of Merit.
On Sept. 23, 1997, De Castro was appointed Sandiganbayan associate justice. After seven years, she was promoted as presiding justice of the anti-graft court until 2007 when she was promoted to the SC.
In the Supreme Court, De Castro served as the former working chairperson of the court’s first division and later as head of the third division before her promotion as Chief Justice.
She is the chairperson of the Management Committee of the Judicial Reform Support Project, working vice-chairperson of the Committee on Ethics and Ethical Standards and of the Halls of Justice Coordinating Committee, chairperson of the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary, the Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns, the Special Committee to Draft Rules on Sexual Harassment in the Judiciary, and member of the Supreme Court Internal Rules Committee.
During the ceremony, there was the traditional presentation of tokens to De Castro.
The SC flag was presented by Justice Jose C. Reyes Jr.; the Philippine Flag by Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr.; the SC seal, from Justice Noel G. Tijam; judicial robe from Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa and brass shingle from Justice Francis H. Jardeleza; gavel from Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen; SC pen and time piece from Justice Estela M. Perlas Bernabe; book of decision and the Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos award from Justice Mariano C. del Castillo; and statuette of judicial excellence from Justice Diosdado M. Peralta.
The reading and presentation of the plaque of recognition was done by Senior Justice Antonio T. Carpio.
Chief Justice De Castro also unveiled her portrait that would be displayed in the SC hall.
After the ceremony, a retirement dinner will be held at the historic land mark Manila Hotel.