 |
The Antqueño
Newsmakers. Gov. Sally Z. Perez (center) leads the
testimonial luncheon for the 3 newly-appointed judges
Bienvenido P. Barrios, Jr. of the 5th MCTC Branch
in Culasi, Emilio R.Y. Legaspi III of the 2nd MCTC
Branch in Sibalom and Ernesto B. Estoya of the 4th
Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) Branch in Barbaza,
(from far right). Other toasters included Atty. Ma.
BG Candida Rivero, recent Judicial Excellence Awardee
for Most Outstanding Clerk of Court, Former Judge
Alfonso Combong, Jr., former President of the Philippine
Judges’ Association, former Assemblyman Atty.
Arturo Pacificador, former Antique Congressman and
Governor Atty. Jovito C. Plameras, Jr. and RTC Judge
Rudy Castrojas (from left). |
San
Jose, Antique - “This is history in the making. Never
did it happen that we have three newly appointed judges
all at the same time.”
Gov. Sally Z. Perez headed this rare gathering of the leaders
of the executive, legislative and the judiciary in the province,
all in a festive mood at the CAP Building here in San Jose
where the luncheon was held.
“Justice
is a jealous mistress. Hence, utmost devotion to her cause
is demanded of you. As judges, you are now set apart to
discharge a noble duty of dispensing justice to humanity
and exhort you to exercise judicial activism” Perez
said, declaring her support to the judges’ fearless
dispense of justice and likewise expressed her pride for
their achievement as Antiqueños .
New Presiding Judges Ernesto B. Estoya of the 4th Municipal
Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) Branch in Barbaza, Bienvenido
P. Barrios, Jr. of the 5th MCTC Branch in Culasi and Emilio
R.Y. Legaspi III of the 2nd MCTC Branch in Sibalom, all
appointed at the same time, were welcomed by the Province
through a testimonial luncheon held last November 15, in
honor of the three newly appointed Antiqueño judges.
Provincial
Legal Officer Atty. Eduardo Fortaleza acted as the toastmaster
for the 5-hour program which brought together prominent
and nationally acclaimed legal luminaries and personalities
such as Atty. Bonifacio A. Alentajan, Chairman of the Region
VI Philippine Constitutional Association (PHILCONSA) and
Atty. Ma. BG Candida D. Rivero, RTC Antique Branch 12 Clerk
of Court and Judicial Excellence Awardee for Most Outstanding
Clerk of Court, who both gave their expectations of the
new judges. Former Judge Alfonso V. Combong, Jr., former
President of the Philippine Judges Association, delivered
the closing remarks.
“Upon assumption of office, a judge ceases to be an
ordinary immortal. He becomes the visible representation
of law, and more importantly, of justice. Judges are expected
to embody four character traits: integrity, independence,
intelligence and industry. We are very fortunate that our
honorees have all these traits,” exhorted Atty. Arturo
F. Pacificador, who opened the luncheon as the President
of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Antique
Chapter.
“As
judges, you will have to convince everyone of your integrity
and trust that have already been entrusted in your position.
You would surely pass through rough roads, and will meet
many personalities. Along the way, you will meet witnesses
who’d want you to believe that the worlds is black,
lawyers who have their own version of the Rules of Court,
and who sometimes forget their basic legal ethics, stenographers
who lose their stenographic notes. But rest assured that
you have entered a vocation, a golden opportunity not available
to so many,” quipped Judge Nery G. Duremdes, Presiding
Judge of RTC Branch 12 in the province, who also encouraged
the new judges to be steadfast in their noble vocation.
For their part, the new judges vowed to uphold the integrity
of the judiciary. “I am confident that I can dispense
my cases well, given my experience as a lawyer and as a
prosecutor,” asserted Judge Legaspi.
Other
guests included Atty. Jovito Plameras, former Congressman
and Governor of Antique, who also delivered his expectations
of the new judges, SP Members, Municipal Mayors, SB Members,
heads of offices and members of the media. (PIO-Antique)
.gif)
