Sponsorship Speech: Confirmation of the ad interim Appointment of Hon. Jose Catral Mendoza

Sponsorship Speech of Senator Loren Legarda
Confirmation of the ad interim Appointment of
Hon. Jose Catral Mendoza
as Member of the Judicial and Bar Council,
Representing the Retired Justices of the Supreme Court

Mr. President,

Our appointee today is a notable man of law. Characterized as an intelligent, approachable and accommodating, yet cautious, individual and public official, he recently retired as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court after decades of an illustrious career both in private legal practice and in government service.

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, born in Lipa City, Batangas, is the eldest of eight children of the late spouses Ibarra Mendoza, a retired Philippine Air Force colonel, and Teresa Catral, a businesswoman.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of the Philippines and proceeded to take his Bachelor of Laws at the San Beda College of Law in Manila.

He started his career as a legal officer in several private companies, and it was in 1977 when he first entered into government service as a research attorney of the Court of Appeals. In 1989, he became Presiding Judge of Branch 26, and eventually, Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court in Santa Cruz, Laguna.

In 1994, he was transferred to Branch 219, Regional Trial Court in Quezon City as Presiding Judge. His fair handling of sensational cases assigned to him was recognized by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Quezon City Chapter, which nominated him for the Judicial Excellence Award in 2002. In the same year, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) bestowed on him the Outstanding Judge Award and the Crusade Against Violence (CAV) recognized him for his dispensation of impartial justice.

He was appointed Executive Judge of the Quezon City RTC in March 2003 and after only a few months, was elevated to Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals in July 2003.

In 2010, he reached the peak of his career when he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He is known for being the ponente of numerous landmark decisions, including the case on the congressional representation in the Judicial and Bar Council; on the Truth Commission that was created through Executive Order No. 1 of President Benigno Aquino III; and on the Reproductive Health Law.

He is highly regarded as a hardworking individual and a workaholic who has registered a very high rate of case disposal in the judiciary. But he is also known for his sense of humor and his friendly ways and demeanor. He is likewise noted for his tact and ability to interact with all kinds of people from all walks of life and has a strong capacity to tolerate and cope with stress.

Mr. President, with our appointee’s intellect, efficiency, and passion for duty, as well as his experience and wisdom, it is undeniable that Justice Mendoza is highly competent to be a member of the Judicial and Bar Council.

It is, thus, with honor and privilege that your Justice and Judicial and Bar Council Committee endorses for approval the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Retired Justice Jose Catral Mendoza as Member of the Judicial and Bar Council, Representing the Retired Justices of the Supreme Court, for a term expiring on July 9, 2021.

Thank you.