Posted by geemiz | Posted in Trivias & Biographies | Posted on 18-01-2012
Tags: Philippines
Currently Justice Serafin R. Cuevas is the Lead Council of the Defence against the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona. Let us know the lead man defending the Chief Justice.
Personal Profile
Name: Serafin R. Cuevas
Birth Date: June 25, 1928
Birth Place: Bacoor, Cavite
Religion: Iglesia ni Cristo
Spouse: Angelica Vecino
Children: Serafin Jr., Maria Leonora, Maria Angelica and Ana Lisa
Educational Background
Elementary: Las Piñas Elementary School
Secondary: University of Manila
Bachelor of Laws: University of the Philippines – Passed bar exam on 1952
Professional Career
- Associate Justice June 01, 1984 – April 16, 1986, appointed by Pres. Marcos
- Associate Justice, intermediate Appellate Court
- Associate Justice, Supreme Court, May 31, 1984
- Lecturer College of Law, University of the Philippines
- Lecturer Institute of Law
- Lecturer Far Eastern University
- City of Manila Assistant Fiscal
- Judge, Court of First Instance
More Things about Justice Serafin Cuevas
- Appointed Chairman of the Supreme Court Committee that drafted the trial court manual
- Member of the U.P. Law Center Committee that drafted the proposed Code of Crime
What People Say About Justice Serafin Cuevas
“You can’t fault the other camp for being good,” – Sen. Vicente “Tito”Sotto III
“We cannot blame the former justice for being a seasoned litigator,” “As a former law student, I am learning a lot from him. It’s very amusing. This is a learning experience.” – Sen. Jose “Jingoy” Estrada
“We observed, Mr. Senate President, that the distinguished lead counsel of the defense has not only been objecting to our questions… but also lecturing us,” – Rep. Niel Tupas Jr.
“Sir, without really meaning to sound patronizing, I must tell you that I’m still learning from you.” – Defense counsel Ramon Esguerra
“He is very sharp, quick and organized with his thoughts,” – Defense counsel Ramon Esguerra
“He may be overdoing it at times, but there is no other way. He has to protect the interest of the client.” – Defense counsel Ramon Esguerra
“Note that when I asked Justice Cuevas about the rules, he would answer immediately. That is the result of constant study.”” – Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile
“he has the stature not to be bamboozled by anyone.” – Defense counsel Ramon Esguerra
photo above is from seattlepi.com
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Unbelievable Lawyer!
It’s like a motto..
“When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” – Serafin Cuevas
“Once you pop, you can’t stop…the embarrassment.” – Niel Tupas Jr.
Serafin Cuevas is brilliant.
As a lawyer he knows how to protect his client from harm. However let all lawyers be reminded that the purpose of the law is to condemn the guilty and protect the innocent.
Atty. Cuevas will make it appear even the most heinous killer criminal is unable to swat even a fly because of his being glib mouthed that even a seasoned legal opponent will think that what he is saying is proper though it just came out from nowhere. It is part of his instinct I think even when he is not yet studying as a lawyer.
Justice Cuevas mabuhay pa po sana kayo ng matagal para marami pa kami matutuhan sa inyo. napa kahusay ninyo, mapagkumbaba. alam ko po lagi kayo ginagabayan ng Panginoong Diyos
Impeachment
[ The Simple Act of Accusation ]
It is quite surprising to realise just how many people mistakenly believe that the term
” impeachment ” is an end result; namely .. ” Dismissal from Office “.
On the other hand, considering the process has only taken place a few of times since it’s inception, perhaps the confusion, most particularly evident among ” Non-Native English speakers “, is not too surprising!
So, to explain, let’s start at the beginning …
Since ” Heads of States ” and ” Presidents ” and ” Chief Justices ” are generally the individuals who sign bills into Law and thereby control the Law, they cannot be indicted, far less brought to trial whilst in office – no matter how serious their crime against the State may be.
To get around this stumbling block, the impeachment process, which originated in ” Medieval England “, but has since largely fallen into disuse, is generally applied.
To ” impeach ” simply means to ” accuse “, therefore, the person accused, automatically becomes ” impeached ” from the outset.
The next step is the ” Impeachment Trial ” where the ” evidence against the accused is on trial ” – not the accused himself, since he, of course, is still in Office and cannot, therefore, be tried!
The ” mock ” trial that ensues, is normally conducted by members of the ” Lower House ” in the presence of the ” Upper Chamber ” members whose involvement is principally to determine if the evidence laid before them would ” prosper “, or not, in a ” Criminal Court ” – nothing more; nothing less!
Since the accused is not on trial and under no obligation to defend himself or even attend such a hearing, there can be no pronouncements of ” Guilt ” or ” Innocence “.
If the deliberations of the ” Upper House ” indicate that the evidence will not prosper in court, that is the end of the matter and the accused remains in office
If, on the other hand, the deliberations of the ” Upper House ” show that the evidence could prosper in court, the accused will be invited to resign immediately; after which he can be properly ” indicted ” on criminal charges in the ” Courts of Justice “.
Should he, however, refuse to resign, he can still be indicted by the aggrieved parties for whatever offences he was originally accused of, at the end of his current term,
Like the defense counsel, I too, am a student of English Law in my eighties!
The whole purpose of the Impeachment process is to ensure that the government won’t suffer a complete shutdown, for many months, during which time, no Bills could be signed into Law, whilst such individuals would be attending a Court of law as a result of any possible irresponsible accusations against them!
Hence the need for a special “Court”
My questions for Attorney Serafin Cuevas, therefore, are these …
How, can the Philippine media, seemingly including many legal minds, and the Filipino people believe …
1. That the person impeached is on trial, which he isn’t and that he can be found guilty during the Impeachment trial, which he cannot be, until he is first indicted by a Court of Law?
2. That the simple penalty of dismissal from office would only result in the accussed laughing all the way to his Bank!
everytime i watched the impeachment proceding i admire the brilliant lead defense counsel talking about law. when he speaks, everybody listen. even the prosecutor are stunt with amazement on how he handle the arguements.
how i wish that justice cuevas would be one of the bar reviewers so that he can share his intelligent insight of law.
According to gerontological nursing theories, 84 years old is categorized as old-old. I admire Judge Serafin, he is a good living example to my nursing students that ” constant study & making ones neurons active would prevent an elderly to experience dementia” I am not into law profession but i consistently follow the impeachment trial to CJ Corona like teleserye bec i learn so much from it as a Filipino.
Bravo!
Justice Cuevas , is a brilliant lawyer with brilliant mind, i’am not a lawyer nor law student but in some point i enjoyed his style on how to handle the case. no doubt, aside from sen.Santiago I can say that he is one of the best lawyer that we had.
He’s 93 but still very brilliant! OMG!
he’s 83 and in june he’ll be turning 84….not 93…pls do your math correctly rey…
“We observed, Mr. Senate President, that the distinguished lead counsel of the defense has not only been objecting to our questions… but also lecturing us,” – Rep. Niel Tupas Jr.
…………… “I’ll stop lecturing Your Honor if the lead prosecutor stops acting like a law student”
—Justice Serafin Cuevas Sr.
ang galing galing ni serafin quevas mapa tagalog oh english grabe talagang bihasang bihasa.. saludo kami sa iyo..
s. Cuevas is very good example of super duper lawyer. More power to cuevas
I really salute to you atty. cuevas…. you are really intelligent . . . you’re 83 yet, you are still so smart.. i am not a law student but i admire the way you defend your client… I learned a lot from you . . that’s true… keep it up sir…
GOD BLESS
Justice Serafin Cuevas, you are really great! With your brilliant ways of defending your client, you awakened something in me to take the awful challenging profession in the land-LAWYER. Continue being an outstanding example to our lawyers and to the youth who will be soon follow your footsteps! You’re a great pride to the Filipino people!
Douglas Paterson MBE- I do believe that this person doesn’t really know the true process of the Philippine Law and if that is the case I would basically advice him to keep quiet hence it would only show the public how incompetent he really is. Basically, the person impeached in which termed by the person above is really on trial because the process of the impeachment court is a political process and thus a trial in which the accuse may be dismissed from office and cannot hold any elective nor appointive position in the government as a result of the procedure itself. If the accused would be found innocent hence that person could still continue his or her function and wouldn’t be be removed of the rights to be in public office or be in public service. Having said that therefore, the accuse is really on trial because there are outcomes if the accused is convicted or not hence the Upper House would then pass a resolution in regards of the matter. So basically, the first parameter stated by the person who commented above is irrelevant in terms of the trial itself. In terms of the second parameter, basically if the person accused was deemed guilty beyond reasonable doubt hence he or she would be removed, yes he or she may be laughing because like what you said, “he would be laughing straight to his bank” but basically with the conviction comes higher penalty besides of dismissal. Like what I have stated earlier, if convicted, he or she will be dismissed and basically be perpetually disqualified to hold any elective or appointive positions in the government. The mere fact that you also have the connotation that the accused will be the first public official impeached in the Philippine history basically negates the bank parameter you have stated. I respect what you said that you are an English Law student but there is a big difference of the Philippine Law to English Law prior to interpretation. You should very well know that being a Law Student. Also, you should also know that the law depending on the nature is rigid hence it is fixed but everything in this world is dynamic and some laws are not adaptable to the present situation so basically the 80’s idea you might have may basically be obsolete to what is presently happening. I would advice you to re-study again to further enhance your intellectual boundaries and scope. That is the reason why I studied and passed all the courses and post graduate studies I have enrolled in may it be in the Philippines, United States, Switzerland and Japan. I am am international lawyer, Masters in Public Administration, Masters in International Relations, Masters in Education and Doctor in Philosophy major in Political Science so basically I know what I say and I can back it up.
Is the impeachment trial a purely political trial of a quasi-political and quasi-judicial? Review.
I do respect your opinions but there are certain opinions that should be verified to not further confuse the public. I am in favor of the process being done in the Philippines because it shows the real essence of democracy and liberalization but we as spectators also have the responsibility to everything what we say. We shouldn’t confuse the public about facts and procedures. I agree with all your definitions and everything you have stated above but let’s try looking beyond what is stated like the definition itself. Everything doesn’t end in mere definition only. That is why there are parameters in every constitution in whatever state as “the interpreters” of the law because definitions doesn’t just define, we also need to interpret what was defined. I respect your knowledge and expertise but let’s wait for the outcome first before we question others.
he is a brilliant lawyer…i really admire him..keep it up justice>,
Sir PBC, whatever that stands for. You are making it really hard for potential lawyers here to make LAW attractive. Hahaha. You’re speaking as if you are the book of constitution. You are not speaking with lawyers here, but with mere laymen. And sir, you better be careful with your words. Justice Serafin Cuevas is a well-known figure in the law industry. You can’t just say that he’s incompetent just because you THINK he’s incompetent. 🙂 Hey, come on. He HAS TO DEFEND his client. Whatever it takes. I don’t think ANY LAWYER could defend CJ Corona anyway. No matter how great that lawyer is. I mean, the Ombudsman’s testimony and the writ of execution for the Libel case filed against Jose Basa are already enough to impeach him. To make matters worse, CJ even showed the public how unlawyer-like he is by rendering his VERY EXCITING, 3-HOUR SPEECH, accusing everyone in the government to be against him. WOW! Hahahaha. Justice Cuevas actually did a good job. I admire him for his great knowledge of the constitution. I am sure that if you ALSO …. had THAT knowledge, you’d also use it to defend your client Am I not right, Attorney? 🙂
My sincere congratulation to your brilliant defense of Justice Corona during the Impeachment. It is now evident that there is no longer a balance of power between the different branches of government. It is all obvious of the hypocrisy of many during the trial.
I salute your courage and determination as well as that of your defense team during the trial.
Justice Cuevas, win or lose, you’re my man!!!
We admire your intelligence, tact, and quickness of mind. You also have the proper attitude and behavior inside the court room. And when the reporter asked you “so ,Sir makakpahinga na po tayo after CJ trial?” You responded “No, I can not rest. I have cases involving big corporations.” Indeed, your constant study and great mind is of utmost demand.
GOD bless!
Can you add in the personal profile of justice serafin cuevas thats his religion is Iglesia ni Cristo.
Natalo na nga, magaling pa hahaha.
Justice Cuevas, you’re still one of the most brilliant man for me. win or lose, you’re still one of the great lawyers in the land. I salute you.
Serafin Cuevas is like a lion waiting for the prosecution to make wrong move.
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i guess your lost dude..
Justice. Serafin Cuevas is the best lawyer for me.
justice Serafin Cuevas is the top caliber lawyer in the Philippines,,, for me!
may i ask something about the comparisson of pre marcos to cuevas in thier law life i mean who is the best lawyer among the two???
proud UManians :))
isang malaking kawalan dahil sa kaniyang pagpanaw. biniyayaan ng Diyos ng kahanga-hangang katalinuhan na marami ang nakinabang.
A legal beagle, Justice Cuevas is one of the best lawyers of the country during his time. May his soul rest in peace!
justice cuevas is a peculiar lawyer,,he is very smart,,best lawyer that i have seen
Justice Serafin Cuevas will be remembered in every streets and towns in the country and even in the whole world. He showed and exemplified how Philippine laws could be explain simply both in the English language and in the vernacular. No wonder why every Filipino even those who did not finish elementary and high school are not hesitant to watch and hear the CJ Corona Trial. Justice Cuevas brought down the discussion of law from the ivory tower with sincerity, simplicity and professionalism.
justice cerafin cuevas is the beast lawyer in the philipines and all over the world his pantat and pudo pudo.