'Neither Fear Nor Favor': Memoirs of Conchita Carpio Morales

At his inauguration as the 15th President at the Luneta on June 30, 2010, Benigno 'Noynoy' Simeon Aquino III took his oath of office before Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

- SONNY COLOMA

It was my pleasant task to invite Justice Morales through her sister, a fellow Rotarian.

Last week, I rekindled ties with erstwhile fellow workers in government and other guests who were invited to the launching of the book Neither Fear Nor Favor: The Life and Legacy of Conchita Carpio Morales, authored by Palanca award winner Jose Dalisay, my fellow UP student activist from Dekada 70. Interviewed onsite at the book launch held last week in Makati, she said she wanted her biography published primarily for the benefit of her grandchildren, as their fathers — her sons — passed away more than a decade ago.

I was seated beside Dr. Ester Albano Garcia from the UP Department of Chemistry and former President of the University of the East. She said she had known Justice Chit since they were seven years old as they had the same piano teacher in Paoay. Also in our table was Rep. Linabelle Ramos Villarica, who is from Banna (formerly Espiritu), Ilocos Norte and Solicitor General Darlene 'Lelen' Berberabe. I was also happy to see and greet my former Cabinet buddy, now DEPDev (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio 'Arsi' Balisacan, who hails from Solsona, Ilocos Norte. Also there was my fellow member of the UP Student Council, former Ambassador to Belgium Victoria Sisante-Bataclan, who was also our country's envoy to the European Union, and former Senate President Franklin Drilon.