Sponsorship Speech: Confirmation of the Nomination of Judge Toribio E. Ilao Jr. as Member of the Judicial and Bar Council

Sponsorship Speech of Senator Loren Legarda
Confirmation of the Nomination of Judge Toribio E. Ilao Jr. as Member of the Judicial and Bar Council,
Representing the Private Sector

Mr. President,

Our nominee today, who was born in Mandaluyong City but raised by his parents—Toribio Ilao Sr. and Hospicia Elises—in Pandacan, Manila, has a reputation of being highly meticulous and detail-oriented, capable of making sound judgment after careful and thorough evaluation of the issues and situation at hand—qualities that are essential in the performance of his duty to recommend individuals who will occupy seats in our Supreme Court and other lower courts.

He is one who has enriched himself with experience thereby acquiring the wisdom and expertise needed to perform his gradually growing responsibilities as he worked his way up in the legal profession starting as a researcher at the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), company lawyer, practicing lawyer, senior legal analyst of former Senator Orly Mercado, provincial and regional adjudicator of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and eventually Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Courts in Puerto Princesa, Pasig City and Taguig City.

He was recipient of awards as Outstanding Provincial Adjudicator and Regional Adjudicator during his stint at the DAR Adjudication Board.

Judge Ilao is credited for resolving environmental cases in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and sensitive cases related to communist activities when he was at the Pasig RTC.

He is highly regarded for his strength of character and fair dealings with people.

He is often described as mild-mannered, but one famous anecdote about Judge Ilao, who is a martial arts expert, was his supposed fistfight with President Duterte when they were classmates at San Beda College of Law. The story does not tell though who won, but he was also the one who invited the future president as one of the founding members of their fraternity.

He is acknowledged as dedicated and highly professional, but also immerses in civic activities and is fond of music and sports—truly reflective of a balanced character.

Mr. President, recommending appointees to the Judiciary may seem a simple task, but doing so with total impartiality is the greatest demand of the job.

With his inquisitive and observant nature, highly regarded organizational and analytical abilities, vast wealth of maturity, experience and wisdom, I am certain that Judge Ilao is up to the job.

It is, thus, with honor and privilege that your Justice and Judicial and Bar Council Committee endorses for approval the confirmation of the nomination of Judge Toribio Elises Ilao, Jr. as Member of the Judicial and Bar Council, Representing the Private Sector for a term expiring on 09 July 2020.

Thank you.