UPDATED: JUSTICE Gabriel Ingles, who was named Executive Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) in Cebu, promised to lead the Cebu station as an “institution of integrity”.
His appointment which took effect last April 1 was signed by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.
Ingles said the new responsibility is about service, not power and that he needs the support of fellow justices and court employees because it is “not an easy task”.
“Being Executive Justice is all about giving more of myself, walking the extra mile, so that I can lead this station of the CA in rendering better service to our people, administering justice to everyone, irrespective of whether he or she is rich or poor, weak or powerful,” he said in remarks last March 31 to fellow CA justices and employees.
“Thus, this court is expected and obligated to be independent, impartial, competent, honest, efficient, and an institution of integrity. It is already such but there is a need to sustain and even improve on it,” he added.
The 62-year-old Bohol-born justice was one of 10 finalists of the Supreme Court Judicial Excellence Awards.
When he was a regional trial court judge in Cebu, he was the only one who refused to accept a monthly allowance from the Province of Cebu or any local government unit to avoid any questions about the independence of the judiciary.
He joined the Court of Appeals three years ago and continues to waive such allowances which total P60,000 a month.
When Ingles and three other nominees were interviewed by Chief Justice Sereno for the post, he was asked about his vision of the CA Cebu Station.
He replied that he expects “a court whose members, staff and employees are actively and faithfully bearing witness to the oath taken, to their respective code of conduct, and the civil service rules applicable’.”
“It is the least we can give back in return for the privilege of being part of this institution but the best manifestation of our love of God, country and our neighbor.”
Ingles has been a practising lawyer, law professor, and dean of the University of San Carlos College of Law, where he served from 1994 to 2000.
He was elected president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City Chapter from 1997 to 1999. He became a judge of the Cebu City RTC Branch 58 in 2001