Cecilia Muñoz Palma's legacy lives on

When we speak of strong women leaders in this country, there is one who stands out as “Most Outstanding” and who would have been 109 years old last Nov. 22.

- DEEDEE M. SIYTANGCO

She was Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma, jurist, civic leader, constitutionalist, human rights advocate, and crusader for justice. Former senator Rene Saguisag had this to say of his heroine: “In the book Mirror of My Soul of Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma (2001), of which she very kindly sent to me a complimentary copy, there was this grace note by hand: ‘June 8, 2001—To the crusading believer in the Rule of Law, Atty. Rene Saguisag. With my admiration for the courage to defend the cause without regard to personalities. Cecilia Muñoz Palma.’ She was a reason I, as a young obscure lawyer, a household name only in our own household, focused on human rights and re-democratization.”

Happy birthday, Ka Ceiling—and Ninoy Aquino. (Nov. 27)! We won’t ever forget how lucky we were blessed to have you as paradigms.

Now, from a younger generation on his memories of Justice Palma, let’s hear from Pierre Martin Reyes, Ateneo Law Schools, batch 2013, and the managing partner of Weigand and Partners.