Calixto Zaldivar

Calixto Oriola Zaldivar (September 13, 1904 – October 13, 1979)[1] was a Filipino lawyer and politician who was a Supreme Court Justice from 1964 to 1974.[2]

Early life and Education

Zaldivar was born in Pandan, Antique, Philippines. He graduated in law from the University of the Philippines in 1928 and was the third placer in that year's bar examination.

Career

Zaldivar uniquely held positions in all branches of the government. In the Legislative, he served as a Representative of Antique from 1934 to 1941; in the Executive branch, as Governor of Antique from 1951 to 1955 and as acting Executive Secretary of President Diosdado Macapagal in 1964; and in the judiciary, as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 1964 to 1974.

He distinguished himself by writing some of the “most timeless opinions and equally the most penetrating dissents in the history of the Bill of Rights” during the tumultuous decade in the Philippine History.

Dissenting Opinion against Martial Law
Main article: Ratification Cases

He acquired the reputation of being an independent-minded member of the court especially during the deliberations on the issues arising out of the declaration of the Martial Law and the validity of the 1973 Constitution. He and then Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion voted against the 1973 Constitution by declaring that it is not in force and effect because it was not validly ratified by the Filipino people.[3][4]

When many bent to the rule of the dictator, Zaldivar never cowed but continued to dissent when he should. He was a defender of civil and political liberties, who also promoted social sciences in addition to his work in religion (being a stalwart Aglipayan), law, government and statesmanship --- areas which his children are now heavily involved.

Family and Personal Life

He was married to Elena Torres Ang and had five children, namely: Lorna Zaldivar-Segovia, Nona Zaldivar (former Consul-General to Beijing), Enrique Zaldivar (former Governor of Antique and Ambassador to Brunei), Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez (also former Governor of Antique) and Calixto Zaldivar, Jr. (former Executive Director of the Lung Center of the Philippines).

References
  1. "HEROES & MARTYRS: ZALDIVAR, Calixto O." Bantayog ng mga Bayani. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2019-10-29."HEROES & MARTYRS: ZALDIVAR, Calixto O." Bantayog ng mga Bayani. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  2. Hofmann, Sofie Estolloso (2009-10-04). "Antiqueños commemorate 30th death anniversary of Justice Calixto Zaldivar". Pandan.Ph. Archived from the original on 2009-10-27. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  3. Ramirez, Joanne Rae M. (2013-09-05). "Standing up for what is right". The Philippine Star.
  4. Jimenez, Jacinto J. (March 2007). "Legal and Political Aspects of Constitutional Amendment". Ateneo Law Journal. 51 (4): 822.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.