Consuelo Ynares-Santiago

Consuelo Ynares-Santiago (born October 5, 1939) is a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. She was appointed to the Court by President Joseph Estrada.

The Honourable

Consuelo Ynares-Santiago
145th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
In office
April 6, 1999 – October 5, 2009
Appointed byJoseph Estrada
Preceded byAntonio M. Martinez
Succeeded byMartin Villarama Jr.
Personal details
Born (1939-10-05) October 5, 1939
Binangonan, Rizal, Commonwealth of the Philippines

Profile

Appointed on April 6, 1999, Justice Ynares-Santiago is the first female member of the Supreme Court who rose from the ranks, having begun her career as a municipal judge.

A product of the UP College of Law where she graduated in 1962, Justice Santiago started her career in the judiciary in 1973 when she was appointed Municipal Judge of Cainta, Rizal, a position she held for thirteen years. In November 1986, she was appointed Regional Trial Court Judge of Makati where she remained until her appointment to the Court of Appeals in 1990.

Private life

A native of Binangonan, Rizal, where she was born on October 5, 1939, Santiago received from that city in 1994 the Pambayang Gawad Palosebo, the highest municipal award given to outstanding citizens of Binangonan who have excelled in their professions and are role models for the youth.

Family

Consuelo is the daughter of Casimiro Ynares Sr, and Consolacion Y. Martin (both deceased). She was married to Atty. Francisco B. Santiago (founder of law firm, "FB Santiago, Nalus and Associates") until his death in July 1996 from a heart attack. Her daughter, Atty. Pura Angelica Y. Santiago is the managing partner of the Santiago, Cruz, and Sarte Law Offices.[1][2][3] Her other children are Dr. Jonas Francisco, Regina Carmela and Jennylind Allison. Early in 2003, her son Dr. Jonas Santiago (of St. Luke's Hospital, Quezon City), supervised the removal of one of her kidneys at the Philippine Kidney Center.[4]

Bribery allegations

A still unresolved controversy over alleged bribery of Ynares-Santiago began in September 2007 when Amado “Jake” Macasaet wrote a story in his column for Malaya newspaper. He wrote that P10 million was delivered to a female supreme court justice and mistakenly opened by one of her staff members named Cecilia. There were five female supreme court justices at the time, but the circumstances (notably that she was the only one with a staff member named Cecilia—Daisy Cecilia Muñoz Delis) quickly made it clear that Ynares-Santiago was the target of Macasaet’s column.[5]

Macasaet alleged that the bribes were related to decisions on two cases before the judiciary, and that Cecilia was fired for having mistakenly opened them. Ynares-Santiago denied all the charges, and was supported in that denial by Delis. Delis said she never opened a box containing money intended for Ynares-Santiago, and that she had simply retired from her position.[6] Others, including Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (no relation) have suggested that the charges are unfounded and intended to smear Ynares-Santiago and the entire judiciary in the interest of influencing other cases.[7] Many others in and out of the judiciary have come to Ynares-Santiago’s defense, calling her a “model of probity and integrity.[8]

An investigation into the allegations was started[9] in late 2007. But its efforts were complicated when two of the three members of the investigation (both retired justices) left the investigation in Nov 2007, citing personal issues.[10] Macasaet was asked to reveal his sources by the investigation, and in August 2008 was convicted of contempt of court for refusing. He cited free speech and the right not to reveal a journalist’s source.[11][12]

Some notable opinions

References
  1. berkley.com.ph, Atty. Miguel Nalus, A Lawyerful Life
  2. "newsbreak.com.ph". Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  3. Profile, Pura Angelica Santiago
  4. "Tan.org.phWhat are you looking for? ArtsMusic, Movies, TV, Stage...BusinessServices, Finance, Industrial...ComputersInternet, Hardware, Software...EducationPrimary, College, Distance...GamesGambling, Puzzles, Sports, Video...HealthConditions, Medicine, Weightloss...HomeCooking, Gardening, Maintenance...News and EventsInternational news, Local News, Events...RecreationCollecting, Pets, Crafts...ScienceBiology, Chemistry, Technical...ShoppingAuctions, Clothing, Makeup, Toys...SocietyChildren, Dating, Legal...SportsBaseball, Golf, Football...TravelFlights, Hotels, Car Rentals...WeatherInternational, Local, Warnings...Privacy Policy". Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  5. Ynares-Santiago allegations in The Philippine Inquirer
  6. "The Standard". The Standard. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  7. Defensor Santiago defends Ynares-Santiago Archived 2007-10-17 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "The Manila Times Online". The Manila Times Online. Archived from the original on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  9. High Court takes up reports linking member to payoff Archived 2007-10-19 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "The Manila Times Online". The Manila Times Online. Archived from the original on 2 November 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  11. "Malaya publisher defends self from possible contempt raps". GMA News Online. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  12. supremecourt.gov.ph, A.M. No. 07-09-13-SC Archived 2008-08-22 at the Wayback Machine
Legal offices
Preceded by
Antonio M. Martinez		 Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
April 6, 1999 – October 5, 2009		 Succeeded by
Martin Villarama Jr.
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