SC Launches Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma’s Book “The Mirror of My Soul”
December 11, 2023
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo pays tribute to the late Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma at the launch of her book, book “The Mirror of My Soul” at the Supreme Court En Banc Session Hall, Ermita, Manila on December 5, 2023. (Courtesy of the Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo extolled the late Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma whom he called a “breaker of barriers and a true trailblazer” for being the first woman to be appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the first woman prosecutor of Quezon City, the first woman Judge of the Court of First Instance, and the second woman Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, at the launch of her book “The Mirror of My Soul” at the Supreme Court En Banc Session Hall, Ermita, Manila on December 5, 2023.
The book, a compilation of Justice Munoz Palma’s selected decisions, opinions, speeches, and writings originally published in 2001, was abridged and updated through the efforts of the Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma Foundation (JCMPF) chaired by Dr. Mina Gabor, and the Women’s and Gender Studies Association of the Philippines with Dr. Excelsa C. Tiongson as President.
The Chief Justice thanked them for their collective effort in curating Justice Palma’s works as the book, The Mirror of My Soul is a valuable resource for exploring the areas of political law, legal ethics, legal philosophy, and human rights, and for making the same more affordable and accessible to the public.
In accepting the work, the Chief Justice acknowledged Justice Munoz Palma’s place in history as she remains an inspiration to the Court in blazing a trail ahead in the pursuit of judicial reform through innovation. “A key part of this program of reforms, as you may know, is ensuring gender fairness and inclusivity in the judiciary—an area that I am certain Justice Palma would be leading the work in, had she been on the Bench today.”
Senior Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen acknowledged Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma’s role as President of the Constitutional Commission, citing its many ground-breaking provisions which have enshrined the concept of social justice and ensured the direction of our governments for the generations to come.
The Chief Justice also shared that Justice Munoz Palma’s advocacies such as the independence of the Judiciary and the defense of human rights, particularly the rights of women and children are constant reminders of why and for whom magistrates and public servants work for.
In closing, he said that “[E]ven today, Justice Palma’s life, work, and example continue to hold up a mirror to the soul of the judiciary—an enduring call for us all to display in our daily work the same wisdom and courage, the same service and leadership, that she exemplified”.
The launch was sponsored by the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) in cooperation with the JCMPF, and the Women’s and Gender Studies Association of the Philippines.
“The Mirror of my Soul” is a compilation of Justice Munoz Palma’s selected decisions, opinions, speeches, and writings originally published in 2001, and was abridged and updated through the efforts of the Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma Foundation (JCMPF) chaired by Dr. Mina Gabor, and the Women’s and Gender Studies Association of the Philippines with Dr. Excelsa C. Tiongson as President. (Courtesy of the Public Information Office)
Senior Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen honors Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma’s place in history for championing the concept of social justice and ensured the direction of our governments for the generations to come. (Courtesy of the Public Information Office)
Guests pose for posterity, from the left PhilJA Vice Chancellor Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo (ret.), Ms. Jovina Taguilid, PhilJA Chancellor Justice Rosmari D. Carandang (ret.), former Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Christian Monsod, Senior Associate Justice Mario Victor M.V. F. Leonen, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid, Dr. Mina T. Gabor, Mr. Tady Palma, Ms. Pearl Palma-Cardema, Mrs. Dolores Palma, Dr. Sonia M. Roco, Comm. Rene V. Sarmiento, Atty. Reena Y. Yason, Mrs. Ballsy Aquino Cruz, and Atty. Paulo Soller. (Courtesy of the Public Information Office)