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Palace mourns death of Bernas, remembers his legal excellence, passion for humanity

Philippines | National

Palace mourns death of Bernas, remembers his legal excellence, passion for humanity

By Genalyn Kabiling

Malacañang has sent its sympathies over the passing of Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., remembering him as a great educator and noted constitutionalist.

(Photo courtesy of Victor Ramos Baltazar SJ)

The Jesuit priest and lawyer died on March 6 at the age of 88. The beloved educator was among those who crafted the country’s 1987 Constitution.

"We express our condolences to the friends and colleagues of Father Joaquin Bernas who died early morning today, March 6, 2021," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in statement Saturday.

"Father Bernas was the Dean Emeritus of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law who left a legacy of legal excellence and passion for humanity and the rule of law to the nation," he said.

Roque also described Bernas as "a great Jesuit educator" after mentoring generations of Filipino students, lawyers, legal academics and researchers.

He also said Bernas was a noted constitutionalist, citing his work as one of the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. He said Bernas' interpretation of the law had been cited in numerous legal arguments.

"May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace and happiness," Roque said.

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