Another SC justice retires
THE early retirement request of Associate Justice Edgardo delos Santos was approved on Monday by the Supreme Court.
“.. The Court resolved to approve his request for optional retirement, effective June 30, 2021, for reasons pertaining to his current state of health..”
” The Court further resolved to direct the Committee on Retirement to coordinate with the office of Justice Delos Santos regarding the conduct of Justice Delos Santos’ retirement ceremony, ” read the SC notice, signed by Clerk of Court Marife Lomibao-Cuevas.
Delos Santos is the third SC justice to avail of early retirement.
In November last year, the high court accepted the early retirement of associate justice Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla. She was supposed to retire in 2028.
Chief justice Diosdado Peralta also opted for early retirement last March 27, 2021.
In a one-page letter to his staff dated March 19, 2021, delos Santos expressed regret that he will be retiring soon.
” Ialso write to you today to properly express my deep sadness for cutting short our association. In the brief time that we have together, I have found comfort in coming to our office with the knowledge that I am among trusted people. I saw and felt your enthusiasm in your work which in turn encouraged me to do my best as your boss and mentor,” he said.
“I spent sleepless nights trying to think better — no, make that –the best way to announce my decision to you, my staff, in light of trying times we are currently experiencing. I succumbed to the frailty of human emotions, that as I mustered to overcome my sadness during my announcement this afternoon,” de los Santos continued.
