Gov. Perez fetes 3 new Antiqueño judges
Former Assemblyman and now IBP
President-Antique Chapter Atty. Arturo F.
Pacificador, former Antique Congressman
and Governor Atty. Jovito C.
Plameras, Jr. and Gov. Sally Z. Perez.
San Jose, Antique--"This is history in the making. Never did it happen that we have 3 newly appointed judges all at the same time."
Gov. Sally Z. Perez headed this rare gathering of the Executive, Legislative and members of 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 .
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).
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)