Joaquin G. Bernas
Encyclopedia
Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., J.S.D. is a Jesuit
and is Dean Emeritus of Ateneo Law School
in Makati City
, Philippines
. He was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission
which drafted the present Philippine Constitution.
Bernas is a renowned expert in the Philippine Constitution and a prolific author of law books and articles.
in English
, Latin
, and Greek
Classics and a Master of Arts
in Philosophy
from Berchmans College in 1956 and 1957 respectively. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws
from Ateneo Law School
in 1962 and placed 9th in the bar examinations of that year.
Bernas earned degrees in Licentiate of Sacred Theology
from Woodstock College
in 1966, Master of Laws
and Doctor of Juridical Science
from New York University
in 1965 and 1968 respectively.
of Ateneo Law School
, President
of Ateneo de Manila University
from 1984 to 1993, a Member of the Constitutional Commission formed by President Corazon Aquino
in 1986, a Provincial Superior
of the Society of Jesus
in the Philippines, and a Director of the Philippine Stock Exchange
.
Upon his retirement as Law Dean in 2004, Bernas was conferred the position of Dean Emeritus at Ateneo School of Law. He continues to teach Constitutional Law and Public International Law to law freshmen and sophomores.
Bernas is a frequent resource speaker in legal conferences and workshops. He has authored several law books and law articles published and widely-used by Filipino lawyers and law students. His published works are often cited in decisions penned by justices of the Philippine Supreme Court
and judges of lower courts.
Bernas has served as Amicus Curiae (friend of the court), rendering expert legal advice during court sessions at the Philippine Supreme Court, and during legislative investigations at the Philippine Senate
.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
and is Dean Emeritus of Ateneo Law School
Ateneo Law School
The Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved...
in Makati City
Makati City
The City of Makati is one of the 17 cities that make up Metro Manila, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. Makati is the financial center of the Philippines and one of the major financial, commercial and economic hubs in Asia...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission
Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986
The Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986 was the commission of the tasked to draft the Constitution of the Philippines in 1986.-Legislation:-Members: Resigned-See also:*Congress of the Philippines*Senate of the Philippines...
which drafted the present Philippine Constitution.
Bernas is a renowned expert in the Philippine Constitution and a prolific author of law books and articles.
Education
Bernas earned a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in English
English studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
, Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, and Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
Classics and a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
from Berchmans College in 1956 and 1957 respectively. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
from Ateneo Law School
Ateneo Law School
The Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved...
in 1962 and placed 9th in the bar examinations of that year.
Bernas earned degrees in Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
from Woodstock College
Woodstock College
Woodstock College was a Jesuit seminary that existed from 1869 to 1974. It was the oldest Jesuit seminary in the United States. The school was located in Woodstock, Maryland, west of Baltimore, from its establishment until 1969, when it moved to New York City, where it operated in cooperation with...
in 1966, Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
and Doctor of Juridical Science
SJD
SJD can refer to:* Sir John Deanes, a sixth form college in Northwich, England* SJD, a musician from New Zealand* Doctor of Juridical Science , a doctorate degree...
from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1965 and 1968 respectively.
Career
Bernas served as DeanDean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of Ateneo Law School
Ateneo Law School
The Ateneo de Manila Law School is the law school of the Ateneo de Manila University, a private Jesuit university in the Philippines. It was founded in 1936, in the Padre Faura, Manila campus of the Ateneo, where it remained even after the college, graduate school, and basic education units moved...
, President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Ateneo de Manila University
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
from 1984 to 1993, a Member of the Constitutional Commission formed by President Corazon Aquino
Corazon Aquino
Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the first woman to hold that office in Philippine history. She is best remembered for leading the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines...
in 1986, a Provincial Superior
Provincial superior
A Provincial Superior is a major superior of a religious order acting under the order's Superior General and exercising a general supervision over all the members of that order in a territorial division of the order called a province--similar to but not to be confused with an ecclesiastical...
of the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
in the Philippines, and a Director of the Philippine Stock Exchange
Philippine Stock Exchange
The Philippine Stock Exchange is the national stock exchange of the Philippines. It is one of the oldest stock exchanges in Southeast Asia, having been in continuous operation since its inception in 1927...
.
Upon his retirement as Law Dean in 2004, Bernas was conferred the position of Dean Emeritus at Ateneo School of Law. He continues to teach Constitutional Law and Public International Law to law freshmen and sophomores.
Academic Reputation
For his scholastic achievements, professional work, and detachment from Philippine politics, Bernas enjoys high credibility as an unbiased and independent legal expert.Bernas is a frequent resource speaker in legal conferences and workshops. He has authored several law books and law articles published and widely-used by Filipino lawyers and law students. His published works are often cited in decisions penned by justices of the Philippine Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
and judges of lower courts.
Bernas has served as Amicus Curiae (friend of the court), rendering expert legal advice during court sessions at the Philippine Supreme Court, and during legislative investigations at the Philippine Senate
Senate of the Philippines
The Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
.
Publications
- The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: A Commentary. Rex Bookstore (2009).
- Constitutional Structure and Powers of Government. Rex Bookstore (2006).
- Constitutional Rights and Social Demands. Rex Bookstore (2004).
- The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines: A Comprehensive Reviewer. Rex Bookstore (2006).
- An Introduction to Public International Law. Rex Bookstore (2002).
- From One-Man Rule to "People Power." 46 Ateneo Law Journal 44 (2001).
- The Intent of the 1986 Constitution Writers. Rex Bookstore (1995).