A Moderate Reformer—In Memoriam: Professor Fa Chih-pin

Upon suddenly hearing the news of Professor Fa Chih-pin's passing due to an acute myocardial infarction, feelings of shock and sorrow welled up together, leaving me grief-stricken for a long time. I never expected that our conversation at the new board meeting of the Judicial Reform Foundation two weeks ago would be our final farewell. Furthermore, the new book Professor Fa personally gifted me that day has now become a posthumous work, filling me with profound lament.

Anyone who knew Professor Fa Chih-pin was deeply impressed by his gentle, refined, and gentlemanly demeanor. Twenty years ago, when I first entered the Department of Law at National Chengchi University, Professor Fa had recently returned to Taiwan after completing his studies and took over as our freshman homeroom teacher, beginning my lifelong connection with him. Over the more than ten years since I have been moving in legal circles, Professor Fa has always been a role model I look up to and learn from. In particular, his dedication and persistence in researching freedom of speech guided me into the sanctuary of public law. Moreover, Professor Fa did not confine himself to the ivory tower of academia; his passion and courage in supporting judicial reform also inspired my subsequent dedication to judicial reform work. In fact, this even "dragged" Professor Fa into serving as a director of the Judicial Reform Foundation. Ever since the Foundation's establishment, Professor Fa quietly and unflinchingly supported judicial reform both financially and spiritually, which was truly touching.

This time, Professor Fa Chih-pin was nominated by the President as a Grand Justice candidate, and everyone praised the appointment as fitting the person. Given Professor Fa's academic research standing in the field of constitutional law and his lofty personal integrity, he fully deserved the position of Grand Justice. Professor Fa was also one of the few Grand Justice nominees who could bridge diverse perspectives and universally receive recognition, which was largely related to his faint political coloring and his moderate personality in dealing with people and affairs.

The Legislative Yuan's extension of the session to deliberate the consent for the Grand Justice nominations has been severely reprimanded and criticized by the legal community. Unexpectedly, Professor Fa became the biggest victim; before his review and confirmation could be completed, he passed away. The Legislative Yuan truly owes Professor Fa Chih-pin justice. Perhaps Professor Fa's dying wishes remain unfulfilled, but regardless, Professor Fa was never merely a "quasi-Grand Justice"—he will forever be a Grand Justice in our hearts!

※ Published in: Liberty Times