Joaquin Bernas
{{Short description|Filipino academic (1932–2021)}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2012}}
{{Philippine name|Guevara|Bernas}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|list=SJ}}
| name = Joaquin G. Bernas
| order = 28th
| title = President of the
Ateneo de Manila University
| term_start = April 1, 1984
| term_end = April 1, 1993
| predecessor = Jose A. Cruz
| successor = Bienvenido Nebres
| office2 = Member of the Philippine Constitutional Commission
| president2 = Corazon Aquino
| term_start2 = June 2, 1986
| term_end2 = October 15, 1986
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1932|7|7|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Baao, Camarines Sur, Philippine Islands
| image = Joaquin Bernas from the Constitutional Commission (1986).jpg
| caption = Bernas from the Official Directory of the Constitutional Commission, {{circa|1986}}
| image_size =
| nationality = Filipino
| profession = Lawyer
Professor
Jesuit Priest
| alma_mater = Berchmans College
Ateneo de Manila University
Woodstock College
New York University
| residence = Quezon City, Philippines
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|3|6|1932|7|7|mf=y}}
| death_place= Quezon City, Philippines
|module={{Infobox clergy
| child = yes
| religion = Roman Catholic
| ordained = 1965
| laicized =
| writings =
| congregations =
| offices_held =
| title =
| website =
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| footnotes =
| module =
}}
}}
Joaquin Guevara Bernas SJ (July 7, 1932 – March 6, 2021) was a Jesuit priest, lawyer, college professor and writer who was Dean Emeritus of the Ateneo de Manila Law School in Makati, Philippines. He was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission which drafted the 1987 Philippine Constitution.{{cite news|url=http://business.inquirer.net/67627/what-ails-philippine-economy-2-constitution-framers-take-differing-views|title=What ails Philippine economy? 2 Constitution framers take differing views|last=Torres|first=Tetch|date=June 27, 2012|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=July 9, 2012}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/the-scrutinizer-by-victor-avecilla/258005/a-defective-constitution-2.html|title=A defective Constitution|work=Manila Standard|access-date=September 24, 2019|language=en|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109015254/https://manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/the-scrutinizer-by-victor-avecilla/258005/a-defective-constitution-2.html|url-status=dead}}
Bernas specialized in the Philippine Constitution and was an author of law books and articles.
Education
Bernas was born in Baao, Camarines Sur in 1932 and raised in Naga, and he graduated Ateneo de Naga University for his high school degree in 1950. He moved to Cebu and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Latin, and Greek Classics, and right after a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy at the Berchmans College school for Theology (now housed at Ateneo de Manila University, the previous site is now the current home of the University of the Philippines Cebu) in 1956 and 1957, respectively.{{Cite web|last=Esmaquel II|first=Paterno R.|title= Years after his death, lawmakers summon the great Father Bernas SJ|url= https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/explainers/profile-jesuit-constitutionalist-father-joaquin-bernas/#|date=2024-03-06}} He arrived in Manila thereafter with dreams to become a lawyer as well. In 1962, he received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila Law School as its valedictorian and placed 9th in the bar examinations given that year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/07/11/5032/peoplersquos-priest-still-strong-75|title=People's priest still strong at 75|website=philstar.com|access-date=September 24, 2019}}
He simultaneously applied to join the Society of Jesus in 1950 as the vocation was his primary goal and was eventually ordained to the priesthood in 1965.{{cite news |title=Fr. Joaquin Bernas, one of framers of 1987 Constitution, dies |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/778565/fr-joaquin-bernas-one-of-framers-of-1987-constitution-dies/story/ |access-date=6 March 2021 |work=GMA News |date=6 March 2021}}
Bernas had a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from Woodstock College in 1966, Master of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science from New York University in 1965 and 1968, respectively.
Career
Bernas began teaching at Ateneo de Manila Law School in 1966.{{Cite news|url=http://thepalladium.ph/features/side-b-side-father-b/|title=SIDE B: The Other Side of Father B – The Palladium Online|last=School|first=The Palladium - Ateneo Law|newspaper=The Palladium Online|access-date=February 9, 2017|language=en-US}} He served as dean twice during 1972 to 1976 and 2000 to 2004 and president of Ateneo de Manila University during 1984 to 1993.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ateneo.edu/news/features/four-decades-magis|title=Four decades of 'magis' {{!}} Ateneo de Manila University|website=www.ateneo.edu|access-date=February 9, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080546/http://www.ateneo.edu/news/features/four-decades-magis|url-status=dead}} Upon his retirement as Law Dean in 2004, Bernas was conferred the position of Dean Emeritus at Ateneo School of Law. He continued to teach Constitutional Law and Public International Law to law freshmen and sophomores.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ateneo.edu/aps/law/news/tribute-dean-emeritus-fr-joaquin-g-bernas-sj-supreme-court-justice-mariano-c-del|title=TRIBUTE TO DEAN EMERITUS, FR. JOAQUIN G. BERNAS, SJ BY SUPREME COURT JUSTICE MARIANO C. DEL|date=2015-09-08|website=Ateneo de Manila University|language=en|access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-date=2019-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924061042/https://www.ateneo.edu/aps/law/news/tribute-dean-emeritus-fr-joaquin-g-bernas-sj-supreme-court-justice-mariano-c-del|url-status=dead}}
He was a member of the Constitutional Commission formed by President Corazon Aquino in 1986, a Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines during 1976 to 1982, rector of the Jesuit Residence during 1994 to 2000 and a director of the Philippine Stock Exchange.{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2014/0827_santiago1.asp|title=MIRIAM BOWS TO BERNAS ON PRESIDENCY|last=|first=|date=August 27, 2014|website=Senate of the Philippines|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=September 24, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hau.edu.ph/news_and_events/index.php?id=130|title=Holy Angel University – Laus Deo Semper|website=www.hau.edu.ph|access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812142844/http://hau.edu.ph/news_and_events/index.php?id=130|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ateneo.edu/news/features/four-decades-magis|title=Four decades of 'magis'|date=2015-02-03|website=Ateneo de Manila University|language=en|access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-date=2017-02-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080546/http://www.ateneo.edu/news/features/four-decades-magis|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2003/03/21/199768/bernas-declines-new-term-pse-director|title=Bernas declines new term as PSE director|website=philstar.com|access-date=September 24, 2019}}
Later life and death
Bernas was confined at The Medical City for six weeks due to an infection and was discharged from the hospital on March 4, 2021.{{cite news |title=Constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas dies |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/3/6/Constitutionalist-Fr.-Joaquin-Bernas-dies.html |access-date=6 March 2021 |work=CNN Philippines |date=6 March 2021 |language=en |archive-date=6 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306010038/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/3/6/Constitutionalist-Fr.-Joaquin-Bernas-dies.html |url-status=dead }}
Bernas died at the Ateneo Jesuit Residence inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City on March 6, 2021. He died at the age of 88.{{cite news |last1=Hallare |first1=Katrina |title=Jesuit lawyer, constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas dies at 88 |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1403652/jesuit-lawyer-constitutionalist-fr-joaquin-bernas-dies-at-88 |access-date=6 March 2021 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=6 March 2021 |language=en}}
Publications
- The Intent of the 1986 Constitution Writers (1995){{Cite book|title=The intent of the 1986 Constitution writers|last=Bernas|first=Joaquin G|date=1995|publisher=Published & distributed by Rex Book Store|location=Manila, Philippines|language=English|oclc=39089767}}
- The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: A Commentary (1996){{Cite book|title=The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: a commentary|last1=Bernas|first1=Joaquin G|last2=Philippines|date=2009|publisher=Rex Book Store|isbn=9789712353260|location=Manila, Philippines|language=English|oclc=428437047}}
- Constitutional Structure and Powers of Government: Notes and Cases (1997){{Cite book|title=Constitutional structure and powers of government: notes and cases|last=Bernas|first=Joaquin G|date=2010|publisher=Rex Book Store|isbn=9789712356629|location=Manila, Philippines|language=English|oclc=653490365}}
- A Living Constitution: The Ramos Presidency (1999) ({{ISBN|971-27-0787-3}})
- A Living Constitution: The Cory Aquino Presidency (2000) ({{ISBN|971-27-0915-9}})
- "From One-Man Rule to People Power" (2001){{Cite web|url=http://ateneolawjournal.com/main/varticle/342|title=Ateneo Law Journal|website=ateneolawjournal.com|access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-date=September 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924045124/http://ateneolawjournal.com/main/varticle/342|url-status=dead}}
- An Introduction to Public International Law (2002){{Cite book|title=Introduction to public international law|last=Bernas|first=Joaquin G|date=2009|publisher=Rex Book Store|isbn=9789712353512|location=Manila|language=English|oclc=891839186}}
- A Living Constitution: The Abbreviated Estrada Presidency (2003) ({{ISBN|971-550-433-7}})
- Constitutional Rights and Social Demands: Notes and Cases (2004){{Cite book|title=Constitutional rights and social demands|last=Bernas#S. J.#|first=Joaquin G|date=2010|language=English|oclc=918922982}}
- The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines: A Comprehensive Reviewer (2006){{Cite book|title=The 1987 Philippine Constitution: a comprehensive reviewer|last=Bernas|first=Joaquin G|date=2011|publisher=Published & distributed by Rex Book Store|isbn=9789712359064|location=Manila, Philippines|language=English|oclc=733938808}}
- A Living Constitution: The Troubled Arroyo Presidency (2007) ({{ISBN|978-971-550-520-8}})
- A Living Constitution: Constitutional Issues Arising During the Troubled Gloria Arroyo Presidency Part II (2010){{cite web|title=A Living Constitution|url=https://www.jescom.ph/product/a-living-constitution/|website=JesCom Philippines|access-date=May 27, 2020}} ({{ISBN|978-971-030-564-3}})
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070503152319/http://homepage.mac.com/jbernas/ Fr. Bernas]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bernas, Joaquin}}
Category:Ateneo de Manila University alumni
Category:Academic staff of Ateneo de Manila University
Category:Filipino academic administrators
Category:20th-century Filipino Jesuits
Category:Filipino male journalists
Category:20th-century Filipino lawyers
Category:Deans of law schools in the Philippines
Category:People from Quezon City
Category:Presidents of universities and colleges in the Philippines
Category:Woodstock College alumni
Category:Members of the Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986