CHIEF Justice Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro retires tomorrow when she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 for members of the Judiciary.
Yesterday, she led Supreme Court justices and court officials and employees in her last flag-raising ceremony at the SC offices on Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila.
Court employees brought white and blue ribbons and balloons and posted a big “Thank You” tarpaulin.
Among the SC justices present were Associate Justices Diosdado M. Peralta, Mariano C. del Castillo, Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, Francis H. Jardeleza, Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Noel G. Tijam, Andres B. Reyes Jr., and Jose C. Reyes Jr.
They gave her a certificate of recognition for her more than 45 years in government service.
The SC Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence gave De Castro a certificate of appreciation for her “45 years, eight months, and 21 days of exemplary and dedicated public service.”
The certificate cited for her “remarkable work ethic, unwavering adherence to the Rule of Law” and honored her “for restoring the time-honored traditions of seniority and collegiality in the Supreme Court, for being a strong champion of women and children’s rights,” and “for her genuine concern for the welfare of all employees of the Judiciary.”
In response, De Castro thanked her colleagues and the court officials and employees. (Rey G. Panaligan)