Manila judges pay tribute to Davide

Judges of the Regional Trial Court of Manila honored Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide yesterday for being chosen this year’s Ramon Magsaysay awardee for government service.

Manila Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Concepcion Saulog Alarcon-Vergara, speaking in behalf of the city’s trial court judges, said that Davide serves as an inspiration to all the members of the judiciary for his probity and his exemplary performance as chief justice of the high tribunal.

"No one but no one at this time merits such a regard other than our own principled head of the entire judiciary as shown by the way he conducted the impeachment trial (of former President Joseph Estrada) as well as his supervision of all the courts from the highest to the first level courts," Vergara said.

Vergara also pointed out that Davide, by this sterling performance as chief justice has raised the bar of excellence and has set very high moral and ethical standards in the judiciary.

"We judges can only hope to emulate the diligence and integrity of the honorable chief justice," he said.

Davide, whom family and friends fondly call "Jun," has endeared himself to many Filipinos in general and to lawyers in particular because of his calm demeanor, simple and unassuming ways and work ethic.

He earned the admiration of many Filipinos by the way he presided over the impeachment trial of former President Estrada last year despite the highly charged atmosphere of the proceedings.

Davide was also the one who swore in Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as president last year on the fourth day of the Anti-Estrada protest at the EDSA Shrine.