Fr. Joaquin Bernas, one of framers of 1987 Constitution, dies

Veteran constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas passed away on Saturday, the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law said.

He was 88.

“The Ateneo Law School community mourns the passing of its Dean Emeritus, Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J. in the early morning of March 6, 2021,” Ateneo Law School dean Jose Maria G. Hofileña said in a memo, a copy of which he posted on Facebook.

“We take solace in the knowledge that his was an earthly life filled with meaning and purpose. An earthly life dedicated to service, to standards of excellence, to the greater glory of God,” he added.

“Indeed, a man, an excellent man, for others,” Hofileña said.

Bernas “has contributed immeasurably to keeping the Ateneo Law School true to its identity and calling. The Ateneo Law School’s debt of gratitude to Fr. Bernas can never truly be fully repaid,” he added.

“May he rest in God’s unceasing care,” Hofileña said.

"Fr. Bernie, 88, had serious heart ailments and was in quarantine after discharge from the hospital on Thursday evening," the Philippine Jesuits said, adding that Bernas passed away at the Lucas Renewal Center of Loyola House of Studies in Quezon City.

Bernas' remains were cremated on Saturday morning and his ashes were brought to the Ateneo de Manila Jesuit Residence. Memorial masses will be held at the residence and in other communities in Ateneo, the Philippine Jesuits added.

His ashes will be kept at the Jesuit Health and Wellness Center until a funeral Mass and inurnment at the Province cemetery at the Sacred Heart Novitiate will be held in mid-March, it said.

Ateneo de Manila University expressed grief over the passing of Bernas.

“With deep sadness, we inform the University community of the passing away of Fr Joaquin G Bernas SJ early this morning, 6 March 2021,” Ateneo president Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ said in a memo addressed to the university community, a copy of which was given to GMA News Online.

Ateneo called Fr. Bernas “a pillar of constitutional law not only in the Ateneo Law School but also in our country.”

“We request the Ateneo community to keep Fr Joaquin G Bernas SJ, his family, and his Jesuit brothers in your prayers,” Yap added.

Bernas became dean emeritus of the Ateneo Law School in 2004 and belonged to the 1986 Constitutional Commission that drafted the present Constitution.

Palace, Robredo condole

Malacañang also conveyed its condolences to Bernas' friends and colleagues.

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

Roque said Bernas "left a legacy of legal excellence and passion for humanity and the rule of law to the nation."

"A great Jesuit educator, he mentored generations of Filipino students, lawyers, legal academics and researchers. A noted constitutionalist, Father Bernas was one of the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution whose interpretation of the law had been cited in numerous legal arguments," he added.

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

Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo said Bernas’ love for the Philippines was unmatched as she cited his contributions to the country.

“Fr. Bernas hails from my home province of Camarines Sur; President of the Board of SALIGAN, the NGO I was with for almost a decade; President of Ateneo de Manila University during the most crucial years of our nation’s history,” she said.

The Vice President also described the late priest as a “well-respected constitutionalist.”

“A life well lived. Hindi matatawaran ang pagmamahal sa bayan,” she said.

Lawmakers

Among the senators who extended their condolences were Senators Joel Villanueva and Francis Pangilinan.

Villanueva praised Bernas not only for his contributions to democracy but also for the life he led as a Christian.  

"As mentor to many who dreamed of practicing law in a country beset by many cases of lawlessness, Fr. Bernas helped shape an army of men and women who saw the law not as a toy to be played with but as a tool to render justice," he said.

"As a fellow Christian, Fr. Bernas stood strong in his faith to serve as an example to many others who are barely clinging to theirs, showing in an often unassuming way that faith is always stronger than doubt," he added.

Like Villanueva, Pangilinan also cited Bernas for his contribution to the Philippine Charter.

"[B]ecause of him and his fellow post-People Power ConCom delegates, we have a Constitution that is pro-God, pro-Filipino, and pro-poor," said the senator.

"We have a Constitution which specifies our duties as public servants, a Constitution by which we take our oath of office, a Constitution which we swear to preserve and defend. We have a Constitution that promises social justice for every Filipino family. His death reminds us the urgency of delivering on this promise," he added.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, meanwhile, lauded Bernas for his knowledge on constitutional law.

“With his demise, the nation has lost one of its most respected legal luminaries and a sharp mind, who knew the intricacies of constitutional law like none other,” he said in a statement.

“As we remember the life of Fr. Bernas, may we reflect on his indelible legacy and remarkable contributions to Philippine law and jurisprudence,” he added.

Born in 1932, Bernas joined the Society of Jesus in 1950 and had his ordination as priest in 1965.

Bernas started teaching at Ateneo Law School in 1966, and became its dean from 1974-1976 and 2000-2004.

He was also dean of the Ateneo College of Arts and Sciences in 1970-71 and Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines from 1976 to 1982.

Bernas was Ateneo president from 1984-1993, and rector of the Jesuit Residence from 1994 to 2000.

He has said that when it comes to the interpretation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Supreme Court always has the final say. —with Joahna Lei Casilao/KG/MDM, GMA News