Seven decades in practice, a true veteran in the field.
This is how the legal community described the life of veteran lawyer and former solicitor general Estelito Mendoza, who passed away on Wednesday.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stocks Exchange, the Philippine National Bank announced the vacancy of the bank’s director seat, confirming Mendoza’s death.
“We are deeply saddened to report the passing of Atty. Estelito P, Mendoza, an esteemed director of the Philippine National Bank (the “Bank”), today, March 26, 2025. Atty. Mendoza has been a director of the Bank since January 1, 2009. The Bank expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation for his valuable contributions to the Bank,” the disclosure said.
Beside being PNB’s director, he was widely known as the “super lawyer” and “lawyer of last resort” for his successful cases, even if he represented controversial figures.
Among these are the plunder case of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leading to her acquittal, and were also defenders of Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada for their pork barrel scam plunder cases.
While he was considered as a legend in the field, Mendoza also played a pivotal role for the Marcos family, as he served as the solicitor general from 1972 to 1986 under Marcos’ Sr.’s administration.
He also defended the Marcos family in their various ill-gotten wealth cases over the years.
One of his last cases should have been Vice President Sara Duterte, in connection to the challenges in the constitutionality of her office’s confidential funds in 2022.
Following the announcement of his death, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile have expressed grief over the passing of his “very very dear friend.”
While Mendoza is younger than Enrile, the 101 year old counsel acknowledged that Mendoza was his senior in University of the Philippines law school, describing him as the best lawyer he have worked with.
Mendoza represented Enrile in his plunder case at Sandiganbayan.
Meanwhile, former president Arroyo also mourns the death of Mendoza, once again expressing gratitude to his role on the resolve of her case.
The PNB did not disclose the reason of his death, while the legal community and some government officials have expressed their condolences to the family left by Mendoza.