Justice Serafin Cuevas He has the stature not to be bamboozled by anyone.

Defense counsel Ramon Esguerra Now famous for being lead counsel of Chief Justice Renato Corona, former Justice Serafin Cuevas is not only a seasoned litigator and esteemed law professor, but also considered a rock star in the legal world. Born on 25 June 1928, Serafin Cuevas is one of the oldest legal luminaries to continue practicing law at his age. An octogenarian, Justice Cuevas remains sharp, quick, and organized. The limelight may have shown belatedly upon him, but prior to the impeachment trial, Cuevas was an associate justice of the Supreme Court, who served during the latter part of the Martial Law years (1 June 1984-16 April 1986). Prior to that, he served as assistant fiscal of the City of Manila and judge of the Court of First Instance. From 1998 to 2000, Cuevas also served as DOJ Secretary. In 2000, he was also one of the lead defense counsels of former President Joseph Estrada during his impeachment trial. A product of the public school system, Justice Cuevas spent his elementary years in Las Pias Elementary School and his secondary education in the University of Manila. He finished his Bachelor of Laws in the University of the Philippines in 1952. That same year, he passed the bar. Justice Cuevas so loved the legal profession that he taught it. For four decades, Justice Cuevas taught as a professorial lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Law, and at other prestigious law schools, such as the Far Eastern University Institute of law. Though not much of a writer, he published two notable works: Observations on Trial Techniques in Law Practice for the Young Lawyers, which was published by the UP Law Center, and The Role of the Department of Justice in Sustainable Development, in Southeast Asian Justices Symposium: the Law on Sustainable Development. Judges and Legal Experts Debate Key Environmental Issues. His expertise in law did not go unnoticed. Then Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro, impressed by Cuevas litigation skills and experience, appointed him Chairman of the Supreme Court Committee that drafted the trial court manual. Justice Cuevas was also a member of the U. P. Law Center Committee that drafted the proposed Code of Crimes, which is still pending in Congress. During to the impeachment trial, Justice Cuevas has earned much respect from his colleagues, both from the prosecution and the defense. He has also awed the public with his knowledge of the law. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile even once said, Note that when I asked Justice Cuevas about the rules, he would answer immediately. That is the result of constant study. Married to Angelica Vecino, the spouses Cuevas are blessed with four children, namely Serafin, Jr., Maria Leonora, Maria Angelica, and Ana Lisa. His son, Serafin Jr., is also a lawyer.