CITY OF MALOLOS- “Justice is for all, and it is there to empower us, to give us a better and safer life. It is meant to uplift us and make us feel that here in our democratic nation, the rights and welfare of our people always come first.”
This was the gist of the message of Governor Daniel R. Fernando during the program of the Limang Haligi ng Katarungan 2023 held at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in this city yesterday.
Fernando added that the oppressed lean on the five pillars of justice namely the community, law enforcement, prosecution service, courts, and correctional institution; and it is the pillars’ duty to show them true justice and give them hope.
“Marami ang hinuhusgahan ngunit ano ba ang katotohanan. Busisiin po nating mabuti, tingnan natin sapagkat nakasalalay po sa ating lahat ang kinabukasan ng taong uusigin, ang kanilang pamilya, gayundin ang kinabukasan ng kanilang mga anak. Kung hindi po sila magkakaroon ng tamang katarungan, marami ang magsasakripisyo,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Maria Theresa V. Mendoza-Arcega said that access to justice is very important for the sectors of society to equally enjoy their rights.
“Mahalaga ang hustisya o katarungan sa kasaganaan at kaunlaran ng ating sibilisadong lipunan. Lahat tayo ay nakakaranas at naaapektuhan ng krimen na siyang banta sa pundasyon ng isang mapayapang lipunan,” Justice Mendoza-Arcega said.
She also commended the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial Legal Office for being the only province in the country that continuously celebrates Five Pillars of Justice.
The Five Pillars of Justice were represented by Bulacan Police Provincial Office Provincial Director PCol. Relly B. Arnedo for Law Enforcement; Public Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido T. Ocampo, Jr. for Prosecution; Bulacan Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Hermenegildo Caballero Dumlao II and Justice Mendoza-Arcega for Judiciary; Bulacan Provincial Jail Warden PCol. Marcos C. Rivero, Parole and Probation Office headed by Isagani P. Villena and Cesar Lopez, Jr. for Corrections; and Bulacan Public Attorney’s Office Head Atty. Kristine Kay S. David-Manuel, Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Bulacan Chapter President Atty. Bunrofil Altares, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Gerard Nelson C. Manalo, Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro and Fernando for Community.
This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Modernong Pamamaraan Tungo sa Mabilis na Aksyon ng Hustisya” that aims to examine and strengthen the processes of the action of justice to be more effective and productive for everyone.
