César Fernando Cabrera Bengzon (May 29, 1896 – September 3, 1992) was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from April 28, 1961 until May 29, 1966. In November 1966, a few months after his retirement, he became the first Filipino to be appointed to the International Court of Justice.

César Bengzon
Official portrait
9th Chief Justice of the Philippines
In office
April 28, 1961 – May 29, 1966
Appointed byCarlos P. Garcia
Preceded byRicardo Paras Jr.
Succeeded byRoberto Concepcion
37th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
In office
1945–1961
Appointed bySergio Osmeña
Preceded byManuel Moran
Succeeded byDionisio de Leon
Personal details
Born
César Fernando Bengzon y Cabrera

(1896-05-29)May 29, 1896
Camiling, Tarlac, Captaincy General of the Philippines
DiedSeptember 3, 1992(1992-09-03) (aged 96)
Philippines
Parent(s)Vicente Bengzon
Paz Cabrera

Judicial career

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Bengzon earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ateneo de Manila in 1915. He graduated his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines in 1919, and placed second in the Bar Examinations that same year.

Starting out as a law clerk, he was promoted to Solicitor General in 1932 and Undersecretary of Justice under Governor-General (later U.S. Supreme Court Justice) Frank Murphy in 1933. He was later appointed in 1936 to the Court of Appeals, and became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1945. He left the Supreme Court in 1948 to become Secretary of Justice under President Elpidio Quirino, but was reinstated a few months later.

In 1966, he became the first Filipino ever to be elected judge of the International Court of Justice. He held this position until 1976.

Death

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He died on September 3, 1992 at age 96. Upon to his death, he is the longest-lived former Chief Justice ever recorded.

References

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  • Cesar Fernando Bengzon Baptismal Certificate
  • Cruz, Isagani A. (2000). Res Gestae: A Brief History of the Supreme Court. Rex Book Store, Manila.
  • Victor J. Sevilla, Justices of the Supreme Court: their lives and outstanding decisions. Vol. 2: 1945-1964, New Day Publishers, Quezon City (1985)
Legal offices
Preceded by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
1945–1961
Succeeded by
Dionisio de Leon
Preceded by Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
1953–1961
Succeeded by
Sabino B. Padilla
Preceded by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
1961–1966
Succeeded by