Sandiganbayan Associate Justice and UST alumna Maria Cristina Cornejo died on Sept. 3 following multiple organ failure. She was 66 years old.
Cornejo had multiple illnesses including acute cerebrovascular disease, systemic lupus and colon cancer, according to a clinical abstract cited in a resolution by the Supreme Court.
Cornejo obtained her bachelor’s degrees in political science and law in UST in 1971 and 1975, respectively.
She taught remedial and criminal law as an associate professor at the UST Faculty of Civil Law.
Before assuming her post in the country’s anti-graft court, she served as executive judge of the Makati City Regional Trial Court.
Cornejo received the Supreme Court National Centennial Award for Judicial Excellence in 2001 and the Lingkod Bayan Award from the Civil Service Commission in 2002.
Maria Liza Lopez-Rosario, dean of the UST Graduate School of Law, said Cornejo was a hardworking and generous friend.
“[Cornejo was] a very principled justice who was very dedicated to her work. [She] had no time for herself [and] worked hard for her family. She would do everything to help,” Lopez-Romero told the Varsitarian.
Cornejo’s remains are at the Sanctuarium in Quezon City and her interment will be on Sept. 8 at St. Peter’s Columbarium in Quezon City.
