Jose Arrieta y Mijares

Background

Jose Arrieta y Mijares was born on February 19, 1816, in Manila, Philippines. He was the son of Vicente Arrieta y Robery and Maria Manuel Mijares y Wilson.

Education

Jose Arrieta y Mijares had his early schooling in Colegio de San Juan de Letran and must have finished the preparatory courses there, after which he was able to study at the University of Santo Tomas where he enrolled on July 2, 1824, and to continue his studies thereafter. He received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1834, a Bachelor of Jurisprudence degree in 1838, a Licentiate of Jurisprudence in 1843, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1844. While pursuing advanced studies in law, he took a government competitive examination to fill a vacancy of the relator of the Audiencia y Chanchilleria of Manila in 1842. He placed second but refused as he did not want to fill the office. Arrieta gave his reason for declining the fact that he considered the examination a good mental exercise for testing his knowledge of the law.

Arrieta y Mijares must have been a brilliant student. At one time when he was just fourteen, he was chosen to speak in one of the literary events held during the inauguration of Don Andres Garcia Camba as governor and captain-general of the archipelago. It appears that he was a protege of the jurist Dr. Jose Jugo, then a professor in the faculty of law of the University of Santo Tomas. While furthering his studies, he was appointed acting professor of philosophy on March 23, 1839, in the Real Colegio y Seminario de Nobles de San Jose where he taught during the period July 2, 1839 - December 16, 1844. There he met the venerated and distinguished educator and theologian, Dr. Mariano Garcia.

Career

Jose Arrieta y Mijares was allowed to practice on October 31, 1842. After receiving his doctor's degree, he filled various high positions inside and outside the government service. In January 1844, he was named catedratico de derecho patrio (professor of civil law) in the University of Santo Tomas, an appointment which was confirmed by a superior degree, and by royal order in September 1845. This was after passing a competitive test. While holding this chair, he was appointed by the Audiencia as the public prosecutor for the alcaldía mayor (Major Municipality) tercera (third) of the province of Tondo, serving in that capacity for two years after taking the oath on January 15, 1846. Then by royal order of January 25, 1848, he was named magistrate in charge of the Juzgado General y Privativo de Bienes de Difuntos, and acting general ombudsman of said court, which position he occupied until September 16, 1848, on which date he was appointed lieutenant governor and judge of the first instance for the district of Zamboanga, a position he filled by royal appointment for three years.

Upon his return to Manila, he was again appointed acting general ombudsman in the Juzgado de Bienes de Difuntos by the magistrate of that court in accordance with the royal authorization of January 24, 1855, a position he held until March 1, 1856, when he resigned. Then on July 26 of the same year, he was appointed, after a competitive examination, catedrático proprietario (full professor) in Roman law in the University of Santo Tomas which chair was granted by the Audiencia y Chanchilleria, and ratified by royal order of October 25, 1856. This position he filled until his death. While holding this professorship in the university, he was appointed to discharge various functions in the government service. In 1857, by royal decree of October 13, he was appointed a prosecutor de mariana del apostadero of the Philippines, which he filled until March 1873.

Arrieta y Mijares declined the same position for an assignment in Havana, Cuba, as by this time he was suffering from the hardness of hearing. In the same year of 1857, he was named assisting consulting attorney for the Tribunal de Comercio. He also became a member of the Junta Permanente de Pesca which was created in 1865, a member of the curriculum committee to revise and formulate courses of study for the University of Santo Tomas in 1871, a body created by the rector of that institution. He also served during five different periods as an auditor of the Apostadero. Other high positions he occupied included dean of the Matricula de Abogados de la Real Audiencia, dean of the faculty of law in the University of Santo Tomas, and dean of the body of professors of literature in the same university.

Achievements

• Jose Arrieta y Mijares was an avid and diligent student of the law, mastering it day and night. He became a celebrity and his legal knowledge was availed of by the governors, the ecclesiastical authorities, the military and the navy personnel - a position in the bar which was the envy of many a legal mind for forty years. It was a distinction that the Academia de Legislación y Jurisprudencia of Spain admitted him a member. He was also honored by being named the Comendador of the Royal and Distinguished Order of Queen Isabella.

Connections

Arrieta y Mijares was married three times.

Father:

Vicente Arrieta y Robery

Mother:

Maria Manuel Mijares y Wilson

References

• Dictionary of Philippine Biography
  1970