Aquino appoints new Supreme Court Justice
President Bengino S. Aquino III has appointed Estela Perlas-Bernabe as the newest Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Malacañang official said Friday.
“Today the President has announced the appointment of Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe as the new Associate Justice of the Supreme Court,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told a press conference in Malacañang.
Prior to her appointment, Bernabe was Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals since March 9, 2004.
She has served the Judiciary as Regional Trial Court Judge of Makati City from January 2000 to March 2004, Metropolitan Trial Court Judge of the same city from March 1996 to January 2000, and as Technical Assistant in the Office of the Court Administrator, Supreme Court of the Philippines from 1977 to 1979.
She also worked in various private and government offices, namely, as Legal Assistant, Legal Department of China Banking Corporation (1979-1980); Senior Manager, Legal Department of Paramount Finance Corp. (1980-1987); Legal Manager and Corporate Secretary/ Legal Consultant of the National Home Mortgage and Finance Corp. (1990-1993); and Senior Partner of Bernabe Perlas Morte and Associates (1993-1996).
In 1999, she received the Best Written Decision Award for the Municipal/ Metropolitan Trial Court Level given by the Philippine Women Judges Association.
In October 2001, she represented the Philippine Judiciary as a scholar in the 5th International Workshop on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Seoul, Korea, where she delivered reports on the ''Effective Administration of Criminal Justice'' and ''Probation Law in the Philippines''.
Moreover, in recognition of her exemplary service, Bernabe was given the distinction of ''Natatanging Babaeng Hukom'' by the Municipality of Plaridel, Bulacan on March 3, 2003.
Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe completed her Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Banking and Finance magna cum laude at St. Paul College of Manila and earned her law degree from the Ateneo College of Law graduating as Class Salutatorian in 1976. She passed the bar examination in 1977 with a bar rating of 85.156%.
Born on May 14, 1952 in Plaridel, Bulacan, Justice Perlas-Bernabe is married to Atty. Ricardo C. Bernabe, Jr., a lawyer/ businessman from Malolos, Bulacan, with whom she has two (2) children, Ericia and Ricardo III.(PCOO)
President Bengino S. Aquino III has appointed Estela Perlas-Bernabe as the newest Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Malacañang official said Friday.
“Today the President has announced the appointment of Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe as the new Associate Justice of the Supreme Court,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told a press conference in Malacañang.
Prior to her appointment, Bernabe was Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals since March 9, 2004.
She has served the Judiciary as Regional Trial Court Judge of Makati City from January 2000 to March 2004, Metropolitan Trial Court Judge of the same city from March 1996 to January 2000, and as Technical Assistant in the Office of the Court Administrator, Supreme Court of the Philippines from 1977 to 1979.
She also worked in various private and government offices, namely, as Legal Assistant, Legal Department of China Banking Corporation (1979-1980); Senior Manager, Legal Department of Paramount Finance Corp. (1980-1987); Legal Manager and Corporate Secretary/ Legal Consultant of the National Home Mortgage and Finance Corp. (1990-1993); and Senior Partner of Bernabe Perlas Morte and Associates (1993-1996).
In 1999, she received the Best Written Decision Award for the Municipal/ Metropolitan Trial Court Level given by the Philippine Women Judges Association.
In October 2001, she represented the Philippine Judiciary as a scholar in the 5th International Workshop on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Seoul, Korea, where she delivered reports on the ''Effective Administration of Criminal Justice'' and ''Probation Law in the Philippines''.
Moreover, in recognition of her exemplary service, Bernabe was given the distinction of ''Natatanging Babaeng Hukom'' by the Municipality of Plaridel, Bulacan on March 3, 2003.
Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe completed her Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Banking and Finance magna cum laude at St. Paul College of Manila and earned her law degree from the Ateneo College of Law graduating as Class Salutatorian in 1976. She passed the bar examination in 1977 with a bar rating of 85.156%.
Born on May 14, 1952 in Plaridel, Bulacan, Justice Perlas-Bernabe is married to Atty. Ricardo C. Bernabe, Jr., a lawyer/ businessman from Malolos, Bulacan, with whom she has two (2) children, Ericia and Ricardo III.(PCOO)
Biazon vows to carry out changes in BOC
Newly-appointed Custom chief Rufino Biazon vowed to initiate changes in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to get rid of graft and corruption in the bureau but at the same time encourage businesses to thrive.
In a press conference in Malacanang after Biazon took his oath of office Friday morning, Biazon said he planned to carry out changes in the bureau particularly by altering the mindset of the Bureau of Customs employees, which is perceived by the public as tainted.
At the same time, Biazon said that while instituting reforms in the bureau, he made an assurance that he would be fair to businesses so that they will not be scared in putting investments in the country.
“I would like to do measures that will assure stability in the conduct of business within the bureau. So ang measures ko…ang iku-consider ko rin ay kung mabubulabog ba ang negosyante. Kasi ang ayaw nating mangyari ay ang negosyante ay mag slow down sa negosyo,” he said when ask about his plans in the coming days.
In the fight against graft and corruption, Biazon stressed that he will plug loopholes in the existing system in the bureau because these weaknesses paved the way to corruption.
“Ang commitment ko sa Pangulo ay hanapin yang loopholes na yan at takpan, at ang gumagamit ng loophole na yan hindi lang harangin kundi habulin at ipakulong kung kakailanganin,” he said.
It’s basically a review of the system within the bureau for me to do. So it’s more on the willingness to plug the loophole and run after those who use those loopholes,” Biazon added.
New technology will be used to track missing shipments or prevent thieves from striking, the Customs chief said, adding that they are also studying imposing duties on imports that are to be re-exported.
Biazon also said he would coordinate with the secretary of finance to go after customs officials who enriched themselves while in service and at the same time review the performance of all collectors in the bureau.
He also warned those who want to ask favor through him or his family saying he would not hesitate to send them to jail.
“This battle against corruption and smuggling within the bureau is a people’s battle.
Kahit anong klaseng reporma ang gawin namin sa loob ng bureau, kahit ilang tiwaling empleyado ang i-fire namin at kasuhan kung merong negosyante na pupunta sa bureau of customs at aabutan yung empleyado ay talagang mahihirapan tayo sa laban na ito,” he said noting that the enemy is not only corrupt officials but also corrupt businessmen.
The President has given him twin targets, Biazon said in order to meet the revenue target and to fight graft and corruption within the agency.
“Dalawang targets yun and the public can expect me to work really hard towards those goals,” he said.
According to Biazon, the President’s order is clear: to implement the law, stay in the mandate and follow the chain of command.
Biazon also said he’s happy that former general Danilo Lim was appointed as intelligence chief of the bureau given his competence in that field and he vowed to work closely with Lim. (PCOO)
Newly-appointed Custom chief Rufino Biazon vowed to initiate changes in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to get rid of graft and corruption in the bureau but at the same time encourage businesses to thrive.
In a press conference in Malacanang after Biazon took his oath of office Friday morning, Biazon said he planned to carry out changes in the bureau particularly by altering the mindset of the Bureau of Customs employees, which is perceived by the public as tainted.
At the same time, Biazon said that while instituting reforms in the bureau, he made an assurance that he would be fair to businesses so that they will not be scared in putting investments in the country.
“I would like to do measures that will assure stability in the conduct of business within the bureau. So ang measures ko…ang iku-consider ko rin ay kung mabubulabog ba ang negosyante. Kasi ang ayaw nating mangyari ay ang negosyante ay mag slow down sa negosyo,” he said when ask about his plans in the coming days.
In the fight against graft and corruption, Biazon stressed that he will plug loopholes in the existing system in the bureau because these weaknesses paved the way to corruption.
“Ang commitment ko sa Pangulo ay hanapin yang loopholes na yan at takpan, at ang gumagamit ng loophole na yan hindi lang harangin kundi habulin at ipakulong kung kakailanganin,” he said.
It’s basically a review of the system within the bureau for me to do. So it’s more on the willingness to plug the loophole and run after those who use those loopholes,” Biazon added.
New technology will be used to track missing shipments or prevent thieves from striking, the Customs chief said, adding that they are also studying imposing duties on imports that are to be re-exported.
Biazon also said he would coordinate with the secretary of finance to go after customs officials who enriched themselves while in service and at the same time review the performance of all collectors in the bureau.
He also warned those who want to ask favor through him or his family saying he would not hesitate to send them to jail.
“This battle against corruption and smuggling within the bureau is a people’s battle.
Kahit anong klaseng reporma ang gawin namin sa loob ng bureau, kahit ilang tiwaling empleyado ang i-fire namin at kasuhan kung merong negosyante na pupunta sa bureau of customs at aabutan yung empleyado ay talagang mahihirapan tayo sa laban na ito,” he said noting that the enemy is not only corrupt officials but also corrupt businessmen.
The President has given him twin targets, Biazon said in order to meet the revenue target and to fight graft and corruption within the agency.
“Dalawang targets yun and the public can expect me to work really hard towards those goals,” he said.
According to Biazon, the President’s order is clear: to implement the law, stay in the mandate and follow the chain of command.
Biazon also said he’s happy that former general Danilo Lim was appointed as intelligence chief of the bureau given his competence in that field and he vowed to work closely with Lim. (PCOO)
Malacanang says Garcia was arrested after President Aquino confirmed the sentence on him by military court
Malacanang said retired Major General Carlos Garcia was arrested on Friday morning by personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at his residence in Quezon City after President Benigno S. Aquino III confirmed the sentence rendered by the military court martial on the former military officer for violation of Articles of War, a Palace official said.
Garcia did not resist arrest, according to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in a regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
Lacierda said Garcia was found guilty by a court martial on December 2, 2005 for violation of Articles of War 96 and 97.
Article of War 96 is “conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman for failing to disclose/declare all his existing assets in 2002 and 2003 and for holding the status of an immigrant or permanent resident of the United States thereby causing dishonor to the military profession.”
Article of War 97, meanwhile is “conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline for making untruthful statements under oath about his true assets in his 2002 and 2003.”
While the military court issued the guilty verdict on Garcia in 2005, Lacierda said former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not sign the confirmation letter during her term.
Lacierda said the confirmation letter was finally signed by President Benigno Aquino III, paving the way for the execution of the sentence.
“The decision of the military court martial is recommendatory and becomes effective only upon the confirmation of the President of the Republic as commander in chief,” Lacierda said.
He said Garcia was turned over to the Armed Forces’ Intelligence Service in Camp Aguinaldo following his arrest by AFP operatives along with the Philippine National Police officers.
“He was transferred to the National Bilibid Prison,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said Garcia has separate charges before the Sandiganbayan. “The Articles of War are separate and distinct from the plunder case in the Sandiganbayan. In so far as the case in the Sandiganbayan is concerned, it is still being disputed. The new Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales is asking for time to question the compromise agreement between the previous administration and Garcia,” he said.(PCOO)
