by Rusieljs G. Lunasco

Prior to his appointment in the Court of Appeals in 1998, the late Justice Renato Dacudao served as Judicial Supervisor and State Prosecutor at the Department of Justice from 1972 to 1987.

Renato C. Dacudao, the third College of Law summa cum laude graduate and Centralian Court of Appeals Associate Justice died on November 20.

He was 83.

“He was one who exhibited service with unquestionable integrity as a dispenser of justice. Truly, in the performance of his judicial duties, he was one who kept his judicial robe pristine and immaculate, and one who mightily wielded his fearless gavel for truth, said Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Justice Remedios Salazar- Fernando in her eulogy during the necrological service for Dacudao.

Despite his esteemed stature in the judiciary, he was always described by his colleagues as someone who exemplified humility and simplicity.

Throughout his years in government service, Dacudao has been recognized for his work in the judiciary.

He was named “Outstanding State Prosecutor” of the Ministry of Justice in 1978. Two years into his appointment as RTC Judge in Cebu City, he was given the Presidential Awardee for the Best Written Decision among RTC Judges all over the country during the 88th Anniversary celebration of the Supreme Court in 1989. He won the award for the Best Decision in Criminal Law from the Chief Justice Fred Ruiz-Castro Memorabilla Commission in 1995, and the Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano Award as “Outstanding RTC Judge” from the Foundation for Judicial Excellence in 1996.

Prior to his appointment in the Court of Appeals in 1998, he served as Judicial Supervisor and State Prosecutor at the Department of Justice from 1972 to 1987. He was also a Cebu RTC Judge from 1988 to 1998. He was also a bar examiner in Criminal Law and Legal and Judicial Ethics.

“He is a summa cum laude graduate of the College of Law. I remember him to be a very intelligent and studious student,” said one of Dacudao’s classmates former CPU President Dr. Juanito M. Acanto.

Dacudao finished his Associate in Arts degree from the University of the Philippines Visayas where he was the Editor-in Chief of the official student publication, “The UPIC Monthly.” He took up Bachelor of Laws at Central Philippine University and graduated summa cum laude in 1962. He also finished Master of Laws with the highest honors from Manuel L. Quezon University.

“The wonderful memories of Justice Dacudao will forever be ingrained in the memory of everyone lucky enough to have encountered him. We will surely miss this simple and humble figure of a man, the no-nonsense jurist that he was, who exhibited nothing but sheer commitment and dedicated service to the people and nation,” said Salazar- Fernando

Dacudao is survived by his wife Lilia F. Latiza, a CPA and former PNB employee and their son, Dr. Jose R.L., a licensed optometrist.