Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo officiated the oath of office to the newly elected national officers of the Philippine Judges Association, the only association of regional trial court judges recognized by the Supreme Court (SC).
The oath-taking was held at the SC’s session hall on Thursday, Jan. 18, the SC’s Public Information Office (SC-PIO) said. The oath was also administered to PJA’s directors, deputies, presidential assistants, and presidential advisers.
Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, whose office supervises trial court judges for the SC, was also present during the ceremony. Rey Requejo
The new PJA national officers are Judge Byron G. San Pedro, president; Judge Gener M. Gito, executive vice-president; Judge Maria Paz Rivera Reyes-Yson, senior vice-president; Judge Mia Joy C. Oallares-Cawed, vice-president for administration; Judge Caridad V. Galvez, vice-president for external affairs; Judge Maria Teresa E. De Guzman-Alvarez, vice-president for internal affairs; Judge Pablo C. Formaran III, vice-president for finance; Judge Elisa R. Sarmiento-Flores, vice-president for legal affairs; Judge Roline M. Ginez-Jabalde, vice-President for research and judicial studies; and Judge Tarcelo A. Sabarre Jr., vice-president for special projects.
The other officers are Judge Pia Cristina B. Bersamin-Embuscado, secretary general; Judge Cynara Hannah L. Cayton, treasurer general; Judge Marlon Jay G. Moneva, auditor; Judge Mary Jane B. Dacara-Buenaventura, public relations officer; and Judge Jose Rene G. Dondoyano, business manager.
In July, SC Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez administered the oath of office to Judge San Pedro, who was then executive vice president, as acting PJA president when then president Judge Danilo S. Cruz retired last July 28.
The PJA’s election for new national officers was held last December.
The PJA was organized “to unite all judges of the RTCs, FCs (family courts), Shari’ah District Courts, and all such other courts of equal or similar jurisdictions; preserve and maintain the integrity and independence of the Judiciary by ensuring an efficient and speedy dispensation of justice under the rule of law; and foster a more fraternal relationship among its members by promoting cooperation and mutual understanding among them.”