Cecilia Muñoz-Palma
Cecilia Arreglado Muñoz-Palma (November 22, 1913 – January 2, 2006) was a Filipino jurist and the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the Philippines. She was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Ferdinand Marcos on October 29, 1973, and served until she reached the then-mandatory retirement age of 65.
The Honorable Cecilia Muñoz-Palma | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office | |
| In office 1998 – January 31, 2000 | |
| Appointed by | Joseph Estrada |
| Chairwoman of the 1986 Constitutional Commission | |
| In office June 2, 1986 – October 15, 1986 | |
| Appointed by | Corazon Aquino |
| 89th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines | |
| In office October 29, 1973 – November 22, 1978 | |
| Appointed by | Ferdinand Marcos |
| Preceded by | Newly created seat |
| Succeeded by | Ameurfina Melencio-Herrera |
| Mambabatas Pambansa (Assemblywoman) from Quezon City | |
| In office June 30, 1984 – March 25, 1986 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cecilia Arreglado Muñoz November 22, 1913 Bauan, Batangas, Philippine Islands |
| Died | January 2, 2006 (aged 92) Quezon City, Philippines |
| Political party | UNIDO (1984–1986) |
| Spouse | Rodolfo Palma |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Manila (LL.B.) Yale University (LL.M.) |
While on the Court, Muñoz-Palma penned several opinions adverse to the martial law government of her appointer, President Marcos. After retiring from the Court, she became a leading figure in the political opposition against Marcos, and was elected to the Batasang Pambansa as an Assemblywoman from Quezon City. When Corazon Aquino was installed as president following the 1986 People Power Revolution, Muñoz-Palma was appointed chairwoman of the 1986 Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution.