J.B.L. Reyes

Jose Benedicto Luna Reyes (August 19, 1902 – December 27, 1994) was a noted Filipino jurist who served as Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court from 1954 until 1972. Widely known by the initials "JBL", his reputation for erudition and fearlessness was such that the popular rumor took hold that President Ferdinand Marcos awaited Reyes's retirement from the Court in August 1972 before imposing martial law a few weeks later. After his retirement, Reyes became the first president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. He was also a highly regarded legal scholar in the field of civil law. Reyes was born in Manila to Dr. Ricardo A. Reyes and Marcia C. Luna. By the age of 15, he had earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum...