FLORENTINO TORRES
(1844 - 1927)
Justice
Florentino Torres worked in the government for 49 years and spent 44 years in
the judicial branch of the three successive forms of government established in
the
He
was born to a poor family in Sta. Cruz,
His
uncle Fr. Mariano Torres helped him finish his studies.
He
obtained his Bachelor of Philosophy from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
From the
In
1892, he served as Teniente Fiscal de la
Audiencia Territorial de Cebu and
later as Magistrado, Audiencia de la
Criminal of same province.
Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the First Philippine Republic designated Florentino
Torres, Gen. Ambrosio Flores and Lt. Col. Manuel Arguelles to meet with the
American authorities headed by Brigadier -General R.P. Hughes, Col. James F.
Smith and Lt. E.H. Crowder for possible adjustment of the political interests
of both parties.However, the commission did not achieve any tangible results
although Torres did his best to influence the Malolos Government from further
making hostile acts against the occupation forces.
Believing
that Philippine Independence could not be won by force of arms against the
American forces, he joined the league of peace called pacificacos. He presided over a meeting of its members in the
hinterlands of northern
His
sympathy with the American civil government was readily rewarded with his
appointment as Attorney – General, the first Filipino to occupy such position.
He and Chief Justice Arellano, together with three American army officers,
composed the board responsible for the reorganization of the municipalities in
the
He
never allowed himself to be swayed by deep - seated prejudices and maintained
to the highest degree the independence of the judiciary, thus contributing the
prestige and popular respect enjoyed by the courts today.
Believing
he was bypassed upon the appointment of Justice Victorino Mapa as Chief Justice
to succeed Arellano, he tendered his resignation to Governor - General Francis
Burton Harrison on
Don
Epifanio de los
Together
with Chief Justice Victorino Mapa and Manuel Araullo, Florentino Torres was
awarded Doctor of Laws, honoris causa,
during the inauguration of Guy Potter Benton as President of the University of
the
He
was the family disciplinarian. He had a conference with his children after the
evening dinner. He emphasized the virtue of thrift. For his three daughters, he
bought a book entitled Ekonomiya Domestika
which served as a guide to the family budget.
The
family had enough household helpers but he had his own chore to do at home
everyday. He instructed his daughters on household activities, like cooking,
sewing and home furnishing.
He
urged his children and helpers to hear Mass during Sundays and other holidays
of obligations. He mingled with the common people at social gatherings and did
this particularly when he was still a member of the bench.
He
was married to Sabina Vergara with whom he had six children. Manuel, a
prominent lawyer; Luis, former Justice of the Supreme Court; Antonio, Ex - councilor and former chief of police of
He
died of paralysis in