BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has promised to work for the material welfare of around 2,000 judges around the country, saying the government should also recognize their needs.
“I will fight for your material welfare,” Sereno said in her extemporaneous keynote speech that went one hour and 20 minutes, delivered before 434 judges at the Philippine Judges Foundation mid-term convention and seminar at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod Thursday (Oct. 11).
Sereno, the country’s 24th chief magistrate, told the judges that the national government has assured her that there will be no diminution of salaries and benefits of all workers in the judiciary.
She said she stressed to the executive branch of the government that the last thing the country needs now is a demoralized judiciary, so if they want to see the continuation of the heroism of the judges, then the government must also recognize their needs.
“I wish to bring stability in your professional life,” Sereno said, assuring the judges that the reforms she will implement will not be hampered by constant changes in leadership as she will be in office for the next 18 years.
There will be no surprises, there will be predictability in the way the judiciary is run, she said.
Sereno vows to reform the judiciary by implementing a 20-year infrastructure investment program during her full term. She said she will streamline the operations of the courts around the country by putting up information technology (IT) facilities to fast-track the reporting of cases.
She said the Supreme Court will hire 2,000 co-terminus legal assistants for each of the 2,000 judges to speed up the resolution of cases and to reduce the backlog of cases in each judge’s sala, now numbering to 600,000 cases.
Saying that the health and well-being of the judges is one of her top priorities, Sereno said she will implement a paperless operation in courts. “Di na pwedeng binabaha, ina-anay, linilindol ang mga gusali ng ating mga korte. Ang dust at anay sa mga records will in time affect your health and the health of your staff,” she told the judges, which earned a loud applause.
Sereno said she will talk to President Benigno Aquino, the Congress, and the private sector to help her implement her 20-year investment program. “You know what, the private sector is so eager to help this leadership,” she said, as she rallied the judges to “be a part of an intelligent plan over the next 20 years.”
Under her watch, the judiciary will present a template for modernization, efficiency and good governance, she said, assuring the judges further that they will be promoted based on a merit-based system, where good work will be recognized and politics minimized.
Sereno said she lives a life of moderation based on faith, and will continue to strive to be a good example to all of those in the judiciary. She wants the judges to see her continuing drive to demonstrate excellence and integrity everyday of her life.
“I must not give you any reason to doubt my intentions, or to suspect I have any hidden agenda. I have committed myself to a life of moderation and modesty,” she said.
Sereno said she has adopted a life of a semi-recluse in order to cut herself off from any unnecessary social and financial entanglements, “so that you will never doubt that I have every intention to be fair and to be impartial.”
Asked for his reaction on Sereno’s speech, PJA president Judge Franklin Demonteverde told The Freeman: “In totality, we were pleased to hear her message to us. It was not conveyed through a prepared speech but one that was spoken from the heart.” (FREEMAN)