Artemio Panganiban

Official portraits of CJ Artemio Panganiban and Reynato S. Puno in the new SC building.

Panganiban was named as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1995. Justice Panganiban was the chairperson of the Supreme Court Third Division and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET), as well as of seven SC committees involved mainly in judicial reforms. Described by a colleague (Justice Antonio T. Carpio) as “undoubtedly the most prolific writer of the Court, bar none” he has during the last ten years penned more than 1,000 full-length decisions and ten books plus several thousand minute resolutions disposing of controversies. These include the Cocofed case, in which the court gave the Presidential Commission on Good Government the right to vote sequestered United Coconut Planters Bank shares, which had been acquired through coco levy funds.

Panganiban was also known for his controversial role in helping install then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as President in 2001 after the downfall of Joseph Estrada.

In his book "Reforming the Judiciary," Panganiban recounted that on the morning of January 20, 2001, militants had threatened to march toward Don Chino Roces (Mendiola) Bridge, where Estrada supporters were encamped, unless he resigned. Chaos could have ensued, especially because the government machinery had fallen down, Panganiban said in his book.

He also worried that the Vice President could not act because Estrada was still the legal leader. On the other hand, a coup d'état might be staged, and that could obliterate the Constitution. These led Panganiban to conclude that "the only way to avert violence, chaos and bloodshed and to save our democratic system from collapse was to have Mrs. Arroyo sworn in as Acting President."

He added: "After prayer and reflection, I summoned the courage to call up Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. about 5:30 a.m. to explain to him my apprehensions. I proposed that, to save the Constitution, he should swear in GMA (Arroyo) by 12 noon of that day." Arroyo became President that day.

When the question of Arroyo's legitimacy arose, Davide and Panganiban recused themselves from the Supreme Court proceedings. On March 2, 2001, the court voted 13–0 to uphold Arroyo's ascension to the top post. A month later, the court again voted 13–0 to deny with finality Estrada's motion for reconsideration.

Justice Panganiban was named Supreme Court Chief Justice on December 20, 2005, by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after Hilario Davide Jr. retired at age 70. Other nominees by the Judicial and Bar Council included Senior Associate Justice Reynato Puno and Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing. Puno was the most senior in terms of career in the Supreme Court while Panganiban was the most senior in terms of age. Panganiban was succeeded by Puno after only two years in office in December 2007. Short-term tenures of high-ranking appointees are a distinctive feature of the Philippine political system.

Chief Justice Panganiban drew controversy for his remarks made in June 2006 regarding the 1998 decision of the Supreme Court, in which he participated, affirming the death penalty imposed on Leo Echegaray. Echegaray, a convicted rapist was executed the following year in what was the first execution in the Philippines since the regime of Ferdinand Marcos. Panganiban, whose anti-death penalty views are well known, suggested that the Supreme Court may have committed "a judicial error" in executing Echegaray, as not all of the qualifying circumstances needed to promulgate a death conviction were actually established.[5] His remarks, coming at the heels of the passage by Congress of a law abolishing the death penalty, were criticized by death-penalty advocates and some newspaper editorials. Calls were made in some quarters to indemnify the family of Echegaray.[6] Supporters of former President Joseph Estrada were also emboldened to demand that the Supreme Court likewise to correct its 2001 decision upholding the assumption to the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in lieu of Estrada.[7] Panganiban subsequently clarified that his remarks on the Echegaray decision were his own personal views and not that of the Supreme Court.[8]

The Philippine Bar Association, on its 116th Foundation Day Celebration on April 26, 2007, conferred upon Art, the "Award of Honor" citing him as

...“a principled and visionary leader by example; a prolific writer of the Supreme Court, bar none; a renaissance man and a nobly-souled and gifted jurist; a much sought-after speaker; a recipient of over 250 awards and citations from national and international entities and organizations, including several honorary doctoral degrees; an eminent lawyer, law professor, Catholic lay worker, civic leader and businessman; a scholar imbued with mental dexterity; and, an exemplary family man.”

As his way of reporting on his magistracy, Justice Panganiban writes one book a year. He has authored the following:

• 1994 – Love God, Serve Man
• 1997 – Justice and Faith
• 1998 – Battles in the Supreme Court
• 1999 – Leadership by Example
• 2000 – Transparency, Unanimity & Diversity
• 2001 – A Centenary of Justice
• 2002 – Reforming the Judiciary
• 2003 – The Bio Age Dawns on the Judiciary
• 2004 – Leveling the Playing Field
• 2005 – Judicial Renaissance.
• 2006 – Liberty and Prosperity (two volumes)[9]

On February 12, 2007, Panganiban began writing "With Due Respect" in the Opinion section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.[10]