IN 1978, the race for presidency of the Integrated Bar, Pampanga Chapter was so intense that every vote counts. The Angeles Group put up Francisco Villanueva as their candidate for president. The San Fernando Group selected Ernesto L. Pineda for the top post. Even if the bar was supposed to be apolitical, both candidate went on a house to house campaign on every member. This is how I met one of the outstanding lawyers of Pampanga who hails from Sto. Tomas, Pampanga by the name of Ernesto L. Pineda.
I voted for him and the San Fernando Group won by the slimmest of margins. From there, he became Governor of the IBP Central Luzon, President of IBP Congress Presidents; Chapter and Commissioner of Bar Discipline in 1988.
Kong Erning was the Editor-in-Chief of the UST Law Review. This is the school where he graduated in 1964 with distinction (Cum Laude). He passed the Bar with flying colors, the same year. He practiced law for four decades -- 1965-2004 in Pampanga and Metro Manila with his law office in Ermita, Manila.
While practicing, he became a distinguished member of the Academe. He taught at the Ateneo de Manila, University of Sto. Tomas, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), University of the East, Far Eastern University, Arellano University, University of Manila, San Sebastian College, University of San Jose Recollectos (Cebu) and New Era University, among others.
He became the Dean of Law School PLM. He was past President of the Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution. He was the Senior Undersecretary of Justice during the time of President Cory Aquino.
Secretary Pineda’s name became a legend because of his authoritative books as follows:
1. Family Code of the Philippines (annotated)
2. Law on Persons (Book I, Civil Code)
3. Law on Property (Book II, Civil Code)
4. Succession and Prescription (Book III, Civil Code)
5. Obligations and Contracts (Book IV, Civil Code)
6. Sales and Other Contracts (Book V, Civil Code)
7. Partnership and Agency (Book VI, Civil Code)
8. Torts and Damages (Book VII, Civil Code)
9. Credit Terminations (Book VIII, Civil Code)
10. Legal Separation in the Philippines
11. Revised Rules in Criminal Procedure
12. Legal Ethics and Judicial Ethics
In 2004, he was named as Outstanding Pampangue?o in the field of Law. In 2005, he was awarded as the Outstanding Thomasian in the field of Public Service. He is also a papal awardee (Notable Knighthood of the Pontifical Order of St. Sylvester (1983).
It’s only lately that I came to know that he passed away quietly. His SC Roll Number is 20088.