Fearless Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales

It was more than a book launch — it was a tribute to courage, industry, and integrity. Held July 16 at the Makati Shangri-La, former Ombudsman and Supreme Court (SC) Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales launched her memoir titled Neither Fear Nor Favor published by Milflores Publishing, Inc. before a full house of legal luminaries (including former Chief Justice Art Panganiban, Justice Antonio Carpio, Former Senator Frank Drilon and Mila), media leaders (Rappler’s Maria Ressa, Vergel Santos and Chit), family, and friends (like former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Say Tetangco and Elma, Lita Salvador, her sister Marylou, Juliet Evangelista), among others.

- FINEX FOLIO FLOR G. TARRIELA

The event featured a brief talk by author Jose “Butch” Dalisay, followed by a lively and witty Q&A led by Rappler Senior Investigative Reporter Lian Buan. Paterno Esmaquel II, also of Rappler, moderated an open forum where Justice Chit’s classmate, former BIR Commissioner Liwayway Chato, Kababayan Dr. Joven Cuanang of St. Luke’s, and Dr. Antonio Calanoc of Asian Hospital reflected on their personal encounters with her.

Her career spans from the Department of Justice, Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court, and Ombudsman and characterized by her unwavering commitment to justice, transparency, and ethics. She said she enjoyed her years as a trial judge where she personally prepared her own decisions. Her discernment was sharp — she based her decisions on facts and appreciation of witness credibility. She noted that “having a good lawyer really matters.”