Jose Melo
Jose Melo | |
|---|---|
| 128th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines | |
| In office August 10, 1992 – May 30, 2002 | |
| Appointed by | Fidel Ramos |
| Preceded by | Ameurfina Melencio-Herrera |
| Succeeded by | Conchita Carpio-Morales |
| Chairman of the Commission on Elections | |
| In office March 25, 2008 – January 16, 2011 | |
| Appointed by | Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Romeo A. Brawner |
| Succeeded by | Sixto Brillantes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 30, 1932 Manila, Philippine Islands |
| Died | October 18, 2020 (aged 88) Makati, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Spouse | Norma Cruz Melo |
Jose Armando R. Melo (May 30, 1932 – October 18, 2020) was a Filipino lawyer and jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 1992 to 2002. He was a former Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and was succeeded by election lawyer Sixto Brillantes.[1][2]
Early life and education
Melo was born in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. He was married to Norma Cruz with whom he has 3 children: Olivia Ann, Jaime Alberto and Jorge Alfonso.
He graduated at Sta. Ana Elementary School, in 1946 and at Victorino Mapa High School, in 1950. He graduated Master of Laws, "Meritissimus", at UST, in 1960. He passed the bar exams, in 1956, with a rating of 85.5%. He began his law practice as staff member, Diokno Law Office, (1957–1962). He was legal adviser, Board of Censors for Motion Pictures, (1969–1975).[3]
Judicial career
Melo obtained his law degree from the Manuel L. Quezon University in 1956. During the 1970s, he worked for the Office of the Solicitor General. In 1986, he was appointed to the Philippine Court of Appeals by President Corazon Aquino.
Melo was appointed by President Fidel Ramos to the Supreme Court on August 10, 1992. Melo served for ten years on the High Court, retiring after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 on May 30, 2002.
Melo Commission
On August 21, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo created an investigating body headed by Melo to probe the extrajudicial and political killings which had targeted militant activists and members of the press.[4] The body, popularly known as the Melo Commission, rendered a report which concluded that most of the killings were instigated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but found no proof linking the murder of activists to a "national policy" as claimed by the left-wing groups. On the other hand, the report "linked state security forces to the murder of militants and recommended that military officials, notably retired major general Jovito Palparan, be held liable under the principle of command responsibility for killings in their areas of assignment."[4]
Comelec appointment
In January 2008, President Macapagal-Arroyo announced the appointment of Melo as Chairman of the Commission on Elections. He succeeded Benjamin Abalos in that office. Former chairman Melo died at the age of 88.[5]
Notes
- ^ "Arroyo names Jose Melo as new chief of Comelec". GMA News.TV. January 26, 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2008.
- ^ "Melo is Comelec chairman". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 25, 2008. Archived from the original on April 13, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
- ^ Philippine Panorama, Sunday, January 10, 2001, page 8
- ^ a b Alberto, Thea (February 15, 2007). "Melo: Commission report 'complete'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 15, 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2007.
- ^ Christine Avedaño (January 30, 2008). "Palace: Melo can't assume COMELEC post yet". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2008.
External links
- Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
- Chairpersons of the Commission on Elections of the Philippines
- Filipino lawyers
- Filipino judges
- 1932 births
- Living people
- People from Manila
- Manuel L. Quezon University alumni
- Arroyo Administration personnel
- Justices of the Court of Appeals of the Philippines
- University of Santo Tomas alumni