Peralta bids goodbye to judiciary, looks forward to ‘slower pace of life’

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta on Monday bid farewell to the officials and employees of the judiciary ahead of his scheduled retirement on March 27.

Speaking at the weekly flag-raising ceremony at the Supreme Court (SC), Peralta enumerated the achievements of the high tribunal under his watch, which has been marked by challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and killings and threats to the members of the legal profession.

He said the SC approved procedural rules and guidelines meant to improve the administration of justice and address the problem of congested court dockets, including the conduct of online trials and hearings.

The Court also restructured and streamlined the plantilla of various offices, divisions, and services so as to guarantee security of tenure for the employees and to improve its processes as well as organized the Judicial Integrity Board to curb corruption in the judiciary, Peralta said.

Peralta also established the Judiciary Public Assistance Section (JPAS) to promptly receive and act on concerns, issues, suggestions, and complaints against erring court officials and employees.

“To this end, I can say with confidence that we, the members and officials of the Supreme Court, have done everything within our authority to address all judicial concerns and protect everyone’s well-being to the best of our abilities,” he said.

“We have proven that with our determination and willingness to adopt innovations, this pandemic is not and will never be an obstacle in the fulfillment of our sworn duties as public servants.”

He thanked everyone for their support throughout his 34-year career in government service, including past and present SC justices whom he had worked well with in many areas of administration and adjudication.

The Laoag native started out as a public prosecutor in 1987 then went on to become a trial court judge in September 1994, an associate justice and later the presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan, before he was appointed to the SC in January 2009.

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him to the Philippines’ top judicial post in October 2019.

“I will forever remember the fond memories I have of working for and with all of you,” Peralta told SC officials and employees.

“While I prepare to hang my judicial robe, this is definitely not the end of us seeing each other. Rest assured  that I will still make myself available to the Supreme Court if I’m and when the time comes that my assistance is needed.”

As he entered his final week in office, Peralta admitted that appearing at the flag-raising ceremony for the last time was a “bittersweet one.”

“While I look forward to a slower pace of life with my family, I cannot help but feel a tinge of sadness, as I will be leaving the realm of public service and my beloved Supreme Court, which has been my second home for the past 12 years,” he said.

Peralta previously revealed that he planned to go back to teaching after his retirement.

Restrictions posed by the pandemic had prompted the Court to go for a humble ceremony, which lasted only 30 minutes.

There were no arrival honors and only two magistrates—Henri Paul Inting and Rosmari Carandang— were physically present as well as a few Court employees, Peralta’s wife, Court of Appeals Associate Justice Fernanda Lampas Peralta, and children.

Other officials and employees participated virtually.

There were no photo opportunities, the SC Public Information Office said, because Peralta immediately went to his office after giving his message.

Peralta will turn 69 on Saturday, one year ahead of the mandatory retirement for justices and judges in the country.

SC Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe and Associate Justices Alexander Gesmundo and Ramon Paul Hernando are vying to replace Peralta, whose successor will be chosen by Duterte.—AOL, GMA News