Written by Kim Virtudazo Naparan/THE RED CHRONICLES
Layout by Dwight Sambat/THE RED CHRONICLES
Historically, the legal system is predominated by men, for women were deprived of basic human, political and civil rights, including education. In a modern world where women have more avenues to venture into legal careers, there is a woman who illuminates herself apart from the shadows of men in the limelight of the legal profession.
In an exclusive interview with The Red Chronicles, Justice Wilhelmina Jorge-Wagan gave us her insight regarding her experience in law studies and legal practice.
She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from San Beda University (formerly San Beda College) in 1993. A year after passing the Bar examinations, she began her legal career.
Furthermore, She worked as the Court Attorney V for six years in the Office of the then Court of Appeals Associate Justice Romeo Callejo, Sr who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2002. In addition, Judge Callejo was her professor in Criminal Law in San Beda.
“Justice Callejo was my mentor in the Court of Appeals for six years. He is hardworking, simple, and kind; and his integrity is beyond question. I can easily conceptualize the provisions and the scenarios in the cases,” she added.
Justice Jorge-Wagan served as the Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Pasay City prior to her promotion. She also presided over the Special Commercial Court and Cybercrime Court. Before her appointment in the RTC, she was also the judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) of Calamba City for five years.
One of the highlights of her professional career was her convicting Manuel Mejorada of Cyber Libel over his remarks on social media against former Senator Franklin Drilon. Mejorada accused Sen. Drilon of corruption in relation to some infrastructure projects in Iloilo. Judge Jorge-Wagan sentenced Mejorada to imprisonment of two to four years after finding him guilty of four counts of online libel. She then issued a warrant of arrest against Mejorada. In 2019, the Supreme Court affirmed with finality the conviction and imprisonment of Mejorada.
In October 2022, Justice Wilhelmina Jorge-Wagan, together with another Bedan pride Justice Selma Palacio Alaras, was appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., as the Court of Appeals Associate Justices.
Taking the Different Route
Justice Jorge-Wagan confessed that she never thought of becoming a lawyer at a young age. “When I was in elementary, I wanted to become an engineer, having been exposed to see a lot of engineers in town sporting big cars, hard hats, and boots in the fields and exuding confidence. When I reached high school, I decided to become a doctor. But, due to limited resources, I chose to become a lawyer instead,” she shared.
It was only after high school that she realized that her heart was in the legal field. She also said that she wanted to achieve what her mother wanted to achieve; hence, fulfilling her mother’s dreams. She shared:
“What I have achieved now is far from my imagination. Never did it cross my mind that I would be a lawyer, or a judge, someday, although I have a ninong (godparent) and a neighbor who are judges. The three judges in our town are male judges.”
If there is something she “wants” to tell her younger self, she “says” that she needs to overcome her doubts and fears. She said:
“Be confident. Don’t be shy. Don’t be afraid of what others may say to you as long as you are doing the right thing and expressing what you think is right without trampling on the rights of others.”
A Bedan Pride
Justice Jorge-Wagan never forgets her roots. She currently teaches Remedial and Criminal Law both at San Beda University College of Law, Manila, and San Beda School of Law, Alabang. She never thinks twice and accepts the invitation of Dean Ulpiano “Ulan” Sarmiento. She is also the recipient of the St. Benedict Service Award from San Beda.
When asked what is her favorite part about teaching, she replied that it is “imparting my knowledge and experience to the students; and preparing them to become Bedan lawyers someday.” For her, an outstanding student is someone who is determined to know the law; goes to class prepared; and is attentive to discussion.”
Notably, she was the Remedial Law examiner in the 2022 bar exams and the Criminal Law examiner in the 2020-2021 Bar exams. She is a Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) lecturer and a member of the Criminal Law Department at the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA).
Furthermore, she was a member of the Technical Working Group of the Supreme Court Sub-Committee on the Proposed Rule on Cybercrime Warrants, Benchbook for Commercial Court Judges, and the Revision of the Guidelines on Judicial Dispute Resolution and Court-Annexed Mediation. Not only that, Justice Jorge-Wagan is also on the frontline when it comes to the promotion of women’s rights in relation to cybercrime violations. She was a speaker and delegate to the Council of Europe’s International Conference on promoting the role of women in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting cybercrime.
Despite the long list of awards, Justice Jorge-Wagan believes that her greatest achievements are “to dispense justice and help others truly in need” and being able to teach and share my knowledge and experience with my students,” she said.
Moreover, Justice Jorge-Wagan feels fulfilled with her appointment to the Court of Appeals. She also firmly believes that “an excellent lawyer is honest and fair in dealing with the cause or defense of his/her clients, and is fully cognizant of his duties as an officer of the court.”