Court personnel nationwide are banned from using cellular telephones during office hours.
This was one of the first directives of new Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin who attended his first flag-raising ceremony as head of the Judiciary Monday at the Supreme Court in Manila.
“Iwasan ang paggamit ng cellphones habang nasa trabaho. Nakakahiya. Maliit na bagay ‘yan pero dun tayo magsisimula,” Bersamin told SC officials and employees.
Bersamin, who was appointed Chief Justice last week as successor of retired Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro, said that in his 11 months tenure, he will pursue judicial reforms and address the problems in the lower courts.
“Wala akong maipapangako sa inyo kundi ang ipagpatuloy ko ang paninilibihan with all sincerity in my heart. I intend also to address our persistent problems in the lower courts,” he said.
“I ask you to welcome me, to love me, to support me, to help me in my 11 months. Maikli lang ‘yan pagbigyan ninyo na po ako,” he appealed.
On the concerns involving the trial courts, Bersamin said: “The biggest problem is the misconception that the SC doesn’t care about lower courts and I’d like to correct that.” He did not elaborate.
He said he will meet judges, court personnel, officials of the Philippine Judicial Academy, members of the Judicial and Bar Council, employees’ associations, and other officials of the Judiciary to discuss judicial reform issues. (Rey G. Panaligan)