Ricardo Mercader Paras graduated his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines in 1913, and placed second in the Bar Examinations that same year. He engaged in private law practice before being elected in the House of Representatives in 1919. His judicial career started when he was appointed judge in 1924, had an illustrious career as a judge in the Court of First Instance in Samar, Ilocos Sur, Abra and Pangasinan. In 1936, President Quezon appointed him as one of the original members of the Court of Appeals. He became an associate Justice in 1941, and was a member of the wartime judiciary during the Japanese Occupation. He became the Chief Justice of the Philippines from April 2, 1951 until February 17, 1961. More here: http://bit.ly/mm0ueW.