UPAlumni.net

By Jay B. Rempillo
Supreme Court PIO

Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno will be bestowed the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) Most Distinguished Alumnus Award during the UP General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming and Reunion tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City.

Besting other distinguished alumni of UP in its centennial year, Chief Justice Puno is being recognized for his achievements in the field of law and for his leadership in projects “which contribute to the welfare of Filipinos and to the larger society.”

The chief magistrate is universally regarded as a champion of judicial reforms and human rights. Barely a year on his term in 2007, Chief Justice Puno organized the National Consultative Summit on Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances which had resulted in the drafting of the Rule on the Writ of Amparo and the Rule on Habeas Data, to protect and defend the political and civil rights, also known as the first generation rights.

The writ of amparo is the remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty, and security has been violated or is threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission by public officials or employees and by private individuals or entities while the writ of habeas data compels government and military officials to allow families of victims of enforced disappearances access to official documents by invoking “the right to truth.” Chief Justice Puno’s drive had earned for him and the Philippine Judiciary very positive feedbacks from both local and foreign press.

As a follow up, this time focusing on the economic, cultural, and social rights or the so-called second generation rights, the Court, through the initiative of the chief magistrate, will hold on June 30-July 1, 2008 the Forum on Increasing Access to Justice by the Poor: Bridging Gaps, Removing Roadblocks, which will be simultaneously held at the Court of Appeals Auditorium in Manila, Cebu Grand Hotel in Cebu and Pearlmont Inn in Cagayan de Oro.

Last year, the SC ranked the third-best performing among 37 government offices, institutions, and basic services based on a survey conducted on Makati Business Club members. The same survey also showed that the SC ranked 4th among the agencies which had obtained the biggest increase in net satisfaction ratings – from 25.5 in 2006 to 74.2 in 2007 – or almost three times its previous net rating.

Early on his term, Chief Justice Puno actively pushed, among others, for the purging of the Judiciary of erring judicial officers and employees to restore the public trust and confidence in the third branch of the government.

During this year’s celebration of the Court’s 107th anniversary, the SC conducted outreach programs, which are actually a continuation of last year’s celebration which saw the High Tribunal undertake various community service projects, a departure from the usual parade and festive activities which used to mark the High Court’s anniversary. This year, the SC officials and employees visited various institutions housing women and children such as the Molave Youth Home (MYH), National Training School for Boys (NTSB), Golden Acres, Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Manila Youth Reception Center (MYRC), Marillac Hills, and Center for Restorative Activity and Development and Learning Experiences (CRADLE). In particular, Chief Justice Puno led Court officials and employees in visiting Marillac Hills, a halfway home for abused girls located in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Chief Justice Puno obtained his Bachelor of Science in Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of the Philippines in 1962. He also served as editor-in-chief of The Philippine Collegian. In 1996, he was chosen as Outstanding Alumnus by the UP College of Law.

He will be joined by 45 other awardees who in the UPAA’s estimation have excelled in their respective fields, including Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio Morales and Court of Appeals Justice Magdangal M. de Leon are awardees for Championing Justice/Judiciary. A posthumous award for the same category will be given to family of the late retired CA Presiding Justice and Acting Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Romeo A. Brawner.