DOJ mourns passing of ex-CA justice Puno

“The entire DOJ family grieves the passing of one of their most illustrious department secretaries, who served as head of the agency for several years,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a message to reporters. (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) expressed grief over the passing of former Court of Appeals (CA) justice Ricardo Puno Sr. on Wednesday.

“The entire DOJ family grieves the passing of one of their most illustrious department secretaries, who served as head of the agency for several years,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

Puno’s remains will be brought to the DOJ compound in Manila this week.

“Upon the request of the late SOJ (Secretary of Justice) Ricardo Puno’s family, we shall hold a brief necrological service at the DOJ on Friday morning,” Guevarra said.

On Wednesday, Puno’s son, former Antipolo City representative Roberto Puno, confirmed the passing of the former CA justice at the age of 95.

Puno’s wake was opened at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City.

He took up law from the Manuel L. Quezon University and got admitted to the Bar in 1949

Puno served as CA justice from 1973 to 1978 and later went on to serve as an assemblyman from 1978 to 1979.

He was then appointed as Justice Minister during the term of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos from 1979 to 1984.