MESSAGE DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION 0F THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SCENIC ELEVATOR IN THE HALL OF JUSTICE. JANUARY 23, 2009, IN BACOLOD CITY
by Judge Ray Alan T. Drilon
Hold- Over Executive Judge
RTC, Bacolod City
The Honorable Senator Francis Escudero
The Honorable Governor of the Province of Occidental Negros, Esidro Zayco
The Distinguished President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Negros Occidental Chapter, Atty. Rodolfo A. Parreno
The Distinguished Officers and Directors of the IBP Negros Occ. Chapter, Atty. Gina Mirano-Jesena, Atty. Ma. Corazon Katalbas, Atty. Jovim Entila, Atty. Pacifico Maghari, Atty. Andres Hagad, Atty. Jan Athony Saril, Atty. Arnel Lapore, Atty. Andrew Pandan, Atty. Maphilindo Polvora, and Atty. Ernesto Pilla.
The Honorable Judges of the Regional Trial Court and the Municipal Trial Court
The Honorable City and Provincial Prosecutors
The Heads of Offices
My fellow workers in government, honored guests,
Good Morning!
I consider it an honor to be part of this special but simple ceremony, which is another milestone in the history of our Hall of Justice Edifice, the ground-breaking for the construction of a Scenic Elevator. This could not have happened without the determined and untiring efforts of the Local IBP Chapter under the able leadership of Senior Lawyer Rodolfo A. Parreno.
Our Hall of Justice is a three storey building, built in 1995, fourteen years ago, under the auspices of the Department of Justice then Headed by former Senate President Franklin Drilon, when he was Justice Secretary. I remember pretty well attending the inauguration of this building, but I did not imagine that I would later sit as one of the Judges in this building. Our Hall of Justice had seen better days. It is refreshing that today something new is going to happen, and something good is on the way. A new feature would be added to this edifice, a scenic elevator. This modest infrastructure is not to showcase how good and generous our benefactors are, although no doubt they are, but to meet a long felt need. Our IBP chapter President said that we need to address the needs of our court-users, senior citizens, the weak, the infirm, and the handicapped who had to struggle scaling the second and third levels of the building. To the local chapter of the IBP, we the residents of this building truly appreciate your concern.
Having said this, I would like to welcome our special guests, the Hon. Francis Escudero, an outstanding Senator of this country, and the Hon. Isidro Zayco, our beloved Governor, whose invaluable support, provided for the funds in this project. Senator Chiz Escudero, our youthful solon, and one of the most articulate politicians to ever grace the halls of the Senate, now chairs the Senate committee on justice. We are glad that he has committed himself to this seemingly, low profile project, but a real big deal for us here. Thank you for sharing your time with us. The Honorable Governor Isidro Zayco, like his predecessor the late Governor Joseph Maranon, has always been supportive of the Judiciary in this province. The provincial government is indeed a vital partner in our court system, in this part of the country. Thank you for sharing your time with us.
William Wardsworth Longfellow once wrote, “ Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and departing leave behind us footprints in the sands of time.”
To me there is a far deeper meaning in building things, whether they be big or small, like the elevator which we hope to use after its completion. I view this as a great achievement because a little footprint has been impressed in the sands of time. This may not last forever but a new stone has been laid upon the old cornerstone, which others, ahead of us, had built and contributed, without which we would not be where we are now.
To the IBP, officers, and to our honorable guests, truly with God's help, what you have conceived is about to bear fruit.
Thank you very much.
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