History never looks like history when you are living through it.1 It is hard to imagine a more durable mark in our country’s judicial history than Justice Minita V. Chico-Nazario’s record of being the first woman Justice of the Sandiganbayan, first woman Chair of a Division of the Sandiganbayan, first woman Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan, and first Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan to be elevated to the Supreme Court. 

Much has been told about this lady’s exploits in her legal profession, but very few are privy to the human facet behind the formidable veneer.

Justice Nazario, fondly called “Justice Minita” by her staff and friends, has never been timid about standing up for what she believes in. She was at the frontlines in EDSA during the People Power Revolution, with her kids in tow.  Her integrity, intellect, and sound judgment led her to become one of the capable jurists in the country.  As a student, member of both the New York and Philippine Bar, and law professor, Justice Nazario sought knowledge and truth in its purest form, and imbued this wisdom in her gentle manner in all her endeavors.

The exemplary dedication of Justice Nazario to her work catapulted her to the pinnacle of the legal profession by being named to the highest court of the land.

As among the younger members of the legal profession, we are particularly cognizant of the enduring contributions Justice Minita has made to the country’s legal landscape. Her tenacious effortss to attempt to resolve cases which have been controversial, the most famous of which involved a former President, are the stuff of legend. 

Speaking of legendary performance, like Manny Pacquiao’s2 record as the first boxer to win seven world titles  in seven  different weight divisions, Justice Nazario’s aforesaid judicial distinctions will doubtless endure.

As any boxing fan would say, most records were meant to be broken, but the ones that last do so mostly as a result of the record holder’s dedication, perseverance, and most importantly, the ability to keep an eye on the game. Justice Minita has certainly demonstrated these qualities in abundance throughout her career in the Judiciary.

Justice Minita is known to be continuously mindful to live and breathe decorum. We will always recall the time she personally paid for the airfare of one of her legal staff who accompanied her abroad to a symposium for international jurists.

Given her splendor and charisma, it was observed at that international convention how people around the globe, judges and justices at that, were naturally drawn to her. She became an instant favorite at the said event, but she was neither haughty nor overeager to mingle. She was always mindful not to overstep the bounds of geniality. As a representative of the Court to the said event, a member of her staff witnessed how much she prepared for such an international event; she was geared for battle with her panoply of written materials, pamphlets, and articles on the symposium’s topics. At the convention, she assiduously pored through the pages of the materials distributed to the participants for the next day’s activities. Truly regimented, she reported for work immediately after her arrival, oblivious of her jet lag and fatigue. Indeed, Justice Minita believes in work, hard work, and long hours of work.

“Mercy seasons justice,” a famous line by Portia in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, line became the mantra of the UP Law Portia Sorority where Justice Minita is a member.  We will recall the time when, exhibiting a magnanimous Portian spirit, Justice Minita called upon her erstwhile professional rival at his deathbed before his passing away, and made peace with him.

Few individuals who have donned the black robe possess the qualities of Justice Minita— studious intellect, wit, compassion and gentleness. As a lower court judge, she kept her courtroom proceedings firmly in hand without being overbearing. As a Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan and later as Justice of the Supreme Court, she earned respect by displaying it at all times towards others.

Like her feats, her impeccable taste for fine jewelry, as well as things either posh or peach is legendary. She is, down-to-earth. You will be surprised to discover that this eminent lady’s shopping haven includes Divisoria, Quiapo, and Baclaran. When she is abroad, she has a way of tracking down the Chinatown.

Justice Minita’s staff will surely miss her generosity. She is known for pampering her staff with their annual Christmas cash gifts, pasalubong from her trips, occasional tokens of appreciation, food treats, and gift certificates.

It was Mark Twain who warned that one should keep away from those who try to belittle one’s ambitions To Twain, small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great. As a mentor and believer of her staff’s intellect and talents, Justice Minita subscribes to the philosophy that “A man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”3 She has, therefore, encouraged her staff to go out of their comfort zones, innovate, and strive to exceed themselves. Our lady Justice has imbibed in her workforce that the Supreme Court is no place for naiveté. To pass her judicial muster, a draft must go by two tests: (1) it must possess enough heft to nudge it from “conceivable to plausible,” and (2) it must neither be couched in boilerplate language nor should it indulge in “sugar-coated sophistry.”

I have only this one simple thought when remembering her, “Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch...”4

Surely the tenacity, the sense of commitment, and the devotion to the task at hand that have marked her service in the Supreme Court will be missed.

Despite her imminent retirement from the Judiciary where she has served with great distinction for almost five decades, there is no indication that Justice Minita will retreat to private life shortly. She once said that her constant prayer is for a longer life so she could pursue her vocation for His Glory.  This having been said, she may bow out of government service soon, but not from her calling. There is, indeed, no stopping this lady Justice. . .  even after she hangs the black robe.

Atty. Gina Suero Basilio-Resultay was a member of Justice Nazario’s legal staff and sorority sister at the Portia Sorority, UP Law. She is now legal editor of EMCI, Makati.

(Endnotes) 1John Gardner 2Pacquiao started his boxing career as the protégé of J. Nazario’s departed spouse, businessman Rod Nazario.  3Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. 4“If,“ by Rudyard Kipling.