Ex-CA Justice Dela Rama passes away in Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — Law students in this province and various lawyers’ associations are mourning the death of former Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Jose dela Rama Sr. who passed away in his sleep last Monday at the age of 89.
Dela Rama Sr. is survived by his wife Dolores Ignacio and their children Rebecca, Josefina, Cynthia, Jose Jr., and Ruth, as well as 12 grandchildren and a great granddaughter.
He founded and served as the first dean of the Bulacan State University (College of Law).
His son, Jose Jr. is currently the governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Central Luzon Chapter.
Students of law at the BulSU here mourned his death especially at a time when a graduate of the school landed in the top 10 spot in the recently-released result of the 2015 Bar exams, barely nine years after the college was established.
Dela Rama was a sought-after trial lawyer during his time; became a judge; and later earned an appointment to the Appellate Court. He retired with an impeccable record in the judiciary and public service.
One of his students, now Malolos trial lawyer Julius Victor Degala, recalled that even at an old age when he was still dean of the college, Dela Rama was still sharp in the citation of legal jurisprudence.
“He was deeply passionate about his love for country. He would always fight for the rights of the Filipinos and spearhead ground breaking activities such as the use of Filipino language in courts. He will be surely missed,” Degala said.
Dela Rama’s body now lies in state at the Mary the Queen Memorial Homes located along the bypass road in Sta. Maria, this province.
Interment will be tomorrow, May 15, at the family estate at the Garden of Peace, NIA Road, Barangay Bagumbayan, Bocaue, Bulacan.