SC pays tribute to retiring associate justice

The Supreme Court (SC) has paid tribute to Associate Justice Mario Lopez as he formally retired from the judiciary, marking the end of a distinguished career dedicated to public service and justice.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo led the court in presenting a plaque of recognition to Lopez, acknowledging his decades of service and unwavering commitment to justice.

“This is a plaque of recognition to our honorary,” Gesmundo said, reading the contents aloud.

Lopez, born in the small town of Balaoan in La Union, grew up in a humble home guided by faith and hard work. Though he once dreamed of becoming a doctor, he pursued a law degree at San Beda College, graduating with honors. He passed the Bar in 1980 and later earned his Master of Laws from the University of Santo Tomas.

He began his legal career in 1981 as a technical assistant at the Supreme Court, steadily rising through the ranks as a judge, prosecutor and legal officer. He was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 2006 and joined the Supreme Court in 2019 as its 185th Associate Justice.

Gesmundo praised Lopez as a man of “quiet confidence,” a mentor to fellow magistrates and a strong advocate for fairness, wellness and innovation within the judiciary and also highlighted Lopez’s support for the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 and his leadership roles in judicial health and mental wellness programs.

“Justice Lopez believed that the well-being of court employees is essential to a working justice system,” Gesmundo said. “To his team, he was like a father — calm, wise, and always ready to guide.”

Known for his mastery of criminal law, Justice Lopez often surprised his staff with his deep knowledge of legal provisions, delivering clear and powerful insights. His writings, from court rulings to personal reflections, were lauded for their sharp reasoning and humility.

Among his notable contributions were his opinions on cases involving rape, anti-child pornography laws, refugee rights and women and child protection. In People vs. KBC, for instance, he helped clarify how rape cases should be charged. In Gudson vs. Sarmiento-Flores, he affirmed that even mothers can be held accountable under the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act.

He also ensured that Philippine laws aligned with international obligations, as seen in his decisions supporting the naturalization of refugees. In another case, Central Bank vs. Coloma, he warned against deals that could allow private corporations to circumvent land ownership laws.

Outside the courtroom, Lopez dedicated years to legal education and played a key role as chair of the 2024 Bar Exams, one of the largest in history. He helped guide nearly 4,000 new lawyers, reminding them to uphold the values of ethics, humility, compassion and service.

“Justice Lopez’s brand of justice — ethical, compassionate and concise — is nothing short of marvelous,” Gesmundo said.

As Lopez enters retirement, the Supreme Court wished him health and success in his next chapter. The plaque presented to him was signed by the Chief Justice, Senior Associate Justice and all members of the Court. “There is no dissent,” Gesmundo added.

Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen also delivered a heartfelt speech, recognizing Lopez’s dedication to justice and the country.

“Justice Lopez showed a spirit of selfless service,” Leonen said. “He made a deep and lasting impact on this Court.”