Priscilla Joson Baltazar-Padilla (born Priscilla Joson Baltazar; July 2, 1958 – August 27, 2021) served as the 188th

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines An associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines ( fil, Kasangguning Mahistrado ng Kataas-taasang Hukuman ng Pilipinas) is one of fifteen members of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, the highest court in the Philippines. The Ch ...

in 2020. She was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr.

Education

Baltazar-Padilla graduated magna cum laude and at the top of her class in both her Political Science and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the Lyceum of the Philippines University. While enrolled in the College of Law, she was hired to teach Political Science subjects by her alma mater in 1979. She was tapped to teach in the College of Law after passing the 1984 Bar Examinations where she obtained a weighted average of 90.3%, placing 5th among the successful examinees.

Judicial career

Justice of Court of Appeals

On May 31, 2006, she was one of the two Judges who were appointed Associate Justice of the

Court of Appeals A court of appeals, also called a court of appeal, appellate court, appeal court, court of second instance or second instance court, is any court of law that is empowered to hear an appeal of a trial court or other lower tribunal. In much of ...

by President

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal Arroyo (, born April 5, 1947), often referred to by her initials GMA, is a Filipino academic and politician serving as one of the House Deputy Speakers since 2022, and previously from 2016 to 2017. She previously ...

, the other was Judge

Mario Lopez Mario Lopez (born October 10, 1973) is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on '' Saved by the Bell'', '' Saved by the Bell ...

who would also be appointed in the high Tribunal in 2019 by President Rodrigo Duterte. Baltazar-Padilla was initially stationed in Cebu until her transfer to Manila. She held the position for 14 years until her appointment of the Supreme Court in 2020.

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

On July 16, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Baltazar-Padilla to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Padilla filled the post vacated by Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. who retired in May. She was chosen out of six other potential candidates, Jose Midas Marquez,

Ricardo Rosario Ricardo de Rivera Rosario (born October 15, 1958) is an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr. Education Rosario received his Bachel ...

, Japar Dimaampao,

Jhosep Lopez Jhosep Ylarde Lopez (born February 8, 1963) is an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Associate Justice Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla who retired on November 3, 2020 ...

, Ramon Cruz and Manuel Barrios.

Early retirement

On the last week of October, Baltazar-Padilla applied for an early retirement. And on November 3, 2020, during the High Tribunal's en banc session, her fellow justices approved her request for early retirement.

Death

Padilla died on August 27, 2021, at the age 63.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baltazar-Padilla, Priscilla 1958 births 2021 deaths Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Filipino women judges Filipino women lawyers Justices of the Court of Appeals of the Philippines Lyceum of the Philippines University alumni Members of Iglesia ni Cristo Politicians from Manila 21st-century women judges