Estelito P. Mendoza: Exemplary legal luminary

Rarely does a man come along, who can dominate his chosen field and excel at it for so long.

- REY PANALIGAN

Atty. Estelito "Titong" Patdu Mendoza is such a man.

"I'm a lawyer. I don't choose what cases I have. Those in the wrong side are most deserving of having lawyers. I'm just doing my job and that's what I have been trained for and I have been at this for many years," Mendoza said during a 2010 interview with GMA on-line news.

"I find great satisfaction performing my duty because I contribute to the administration of justice.

I can assure you that I win my cases because I work hard," he also said during that interview.

Mendoza passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the age of 95.

His passing was confirmed in a disclosure by the Philippine National Bank (PNB) to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

"We are deeply saddened to report the passing of Atty. Estelito P. Mendoza, an esteemed director of PNB," PNB's disclosure to the PSE stated.

It noted that Mendoza had been a director of the bank since Jan. 1, 2009.

"The Bank expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation for his valuable contributions to the Bank," PNB said.