Minita Chico-Nazario (December 5, 1939 – February 16, 2022) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. She was appointed to the court by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on February 10, 2004.

Minita Chico-Nazario
155th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
In office
February 10, 2004 – December 5, 2009
Appointed byGloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded byJosue N. Bellosillo
Succeeded byJose C. Mendoza
3rd Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayn
In office
January 16, 2002 – February 10, 2004
Appointed byGloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded byFrancis Xavier E. Garchitorena
Succeeded byEdilberto Sandoval
(acting)
Senior Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayn
In office
March 5, 2001 – January 16, 2002
Preceded byCipriano del Rosario
Succeeded byEdilberto Sandoval
23rd Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayn
In office
May 10, 1993 – January 16, 2002
Appointed byFidel V. Ramos
Preceded byRomulo Quimbo
Succeeded byEfren Dela Cruz
Personal details
Born(1939-12-05)December 5, 1939
San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines
DiedFebruary 16, 2022(2022-02-16) (aged 82)
SpouseRod Nazario

Profile

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Born in San Miguel, Bulacan, Justice Chico-Nazario was the first female justice in the Sandiganbayan and its first female presiding justice. She was married to Rod Nazario (1935–2009),[1] noted for being the first business manager/promoter of Manny Pacquiao, with whom she had three children: Rhoderick, Rommelious, and Karen.[2]

She finished elementary school at Our Lady of Loreto College, Sampaloc, Manila (1952), and high school at Our Lady of Loreto College (1956). She earned her A.B. at the University of the Philippines (1958).[3]

Her appointment to the Supreme Court was a homecoming of sorts, since she started out as the social secretary of the late Secretary of Justice Juan Liwag after graduating from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1962. Justice Nazario was appointed Division Clerk of Court of the Sandiganbayan's First Division and was appointed Regional Trial Court Judge of Biñan, Laguna. Likewise, she was a professor of law at the Perpetual Help University in Las Piñas City (1994–1997). Prior to her appointment to the high court, she had more than 40 years of uninterrupted service in government.

Nazario was latterly the president of the Philippine Women Judges Association and dean of the University of Perpetual Help College of Law. She was also the Criminal Law Bar Examiner for the year 2000. Nazario died on February 16, 2022, at the age of 82.[4]

Some notable opinions

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  • Estrada v. Desierto (2004)[5]on jurisdiction of Court of Appeals over appeals from Ombudsman decisions
  • Nikko Hotel Manila Garden v. Reyes (2005)[6]on an action for damages filed by comedian Amay Bisaya against Makati hotel
  • MMDA v. Garin (2005)[7]on authority of MMDA to confiscate driver's licenses
  • People v. Hon. Tirona (2005)[8]on right of prosecution to appeal from judgments of acquittal
  • People's Journal v. Theonen (2005)[9]on libel action involving private persons as injured parties
  • Province of Rizal v. Executive Secretary (2005)[10]on closure of San Mateo landfill
  • Lambino v. COMELEC (2006) – Dissenting[11]on people's initiative as a mode to amend the Constitution of the Philippines
  • Alvarez v. PICOP (2006)[12]on conversion of timber license agreements

References

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  1. ^ Boxing promoter Rod Nazario passes away Archived 2009-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, Manila Bulletin, retrieved 24 September 2009.
  2. ^ "Supreme Court of the Philippines". sc.judiciary.gov.ph. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  3. ^ Databases, Personal Information
  4. ^ "Judiciary mourns passing of retired SC Justice Minita V. Chico Nazario". Manila Bulletin. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  5. ^ Philippine Supreme Court Website
  6. ^ Philippine Supreme Court Website
  7. ^ Philippine Supreme Court Website
  8. ^ Philippine Supreme Court Website
  9. ^ Philippine Supreme Court Website
  10. ^ Philippine Supreme Court Website
  11. ^ Philippine Supreme Court Website
  12. ^ Philippine Supreme Court Website
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Legal offices
Preceded by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
2004–2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan
2002–2004
Succeeded by
Preceded by Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan
1993–2002
Succeeded by