SCP Renames Kalibo Municipal Trial Court Bldg.

SCP Renames Kalibo

Municipal Trial Court Bldg.

The Municipal Trial Court of Kalibo Bldg. located in D. Maagma St., Poblacion Kalibo will be renamed: “The Chief Justice Victorino Mapa Municipal Hall of Justice.” The renaming is with the approval of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SCP) in its “A.M. No. 14-11-131-MTC” resolution.

The Supreme Court approval followed after a request was submitted to the Supreme Court with the required supporting papers to rename the said Municipal Trial Court building which are:

1. Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan Resolution  requesting the renaming;

2. Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution requesting the renaming; and

3. Letter of Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno, Chair of the National Historical Commission recommending approval of the request.

Victorino Mapa (Febuary 25, 1855 – April 12, 1927) was the second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the  Philippines. He was born in Kalibo, Aklan on Febuary 25, 1855 at the site known as McKinley Street now S. Martelino Street beside the church of Kalibo.The actual site is now occupied by Glomon Hotel owned by the Quimpo Family.

Career

He was home schooled during his childhood. Later on, he graduated his Bachelor of Arts in Colegio de San Juan de Letran and subsequently, he earned his degree of Bachelor of Laws and Jurisprudence from the University of Santo Tomas at the age 25.

He was chosen as one of the Associate Justices of the newly created Supreme Court of the Philippines in 1901, together with Cayetano Arellano and Florentino Torres. He then left the Supreme Court to be Secretary of Justice in 1913. He was called to be Chief Justice in 1920, upon Arellano’s retirement.

His tenure was brief, as his frail health forced him to retire early.

He Died on April 12, 1927. On April 29, or 17 days later, his fellow retired Justice, Florentino Torres, also died. They were both given necrological services by the Supreme Court.

Victorino Mapa High School in Manila and the nearby V. Mapa LRT Station are named after him.

He was the legal Adviser of the Phil. Revolutionary Government under the first President Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

He was the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and Secretary of Finance./MP