Aquino married Carolina Griño, the 1950 Bar topnotcher who would be the fourth appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (1988–1993), serving until her retirement.

[4] On October 29, 1973, Aquino was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos, his former law school classmate,[5] as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, along with Estanislao Fernandez and Cecilia Muñoz-Palma.

[6] On November 19, 1985, Aquino was appointed by Marcos as Chief Justice, replacing Felix Makasiar—also his former law school classmate[7]—who was to retire the following day.

[12][7] The petition, which claimed Marcos interfered in the trial, was dismissed on November 28 with a 9–2 vote;[10][13] with Aquino saying it lacked legal basis.

[A][11] During the February 1986 revolution, Aquino administered Marcos' oath of office for his fourth term,[15] in a ceremony held in the Malacañang Palace, which was proceeded as the live television broadcast had been interrupted a few moments prior.