Justice Marquez Swears In New PJA President and Executive Vice President
August 1, 2023
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez (right) administers the oath of office to Family Court Judge Byron G. San Pedro (left) of Taguig City Court (RTC), Branch 15, as President of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) at the SC Dignitaries Lounge on July 31, 2023.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez administered the oath of office to the new leaders of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) held at the Supreme Court Dignitaries Lounge on July 31, 2023.
Sworn in as PJA President was Family Court Judge Byron G. San Pedro of the Taguig City, Branch 15. Judge San Pedro was PJA Executive Vice President prior to his assumption as President and will serve as such until end of 2023.
Justice Marquez also swore in as PJA Executive Vice President Judge Divina Gracia L. Peliño of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 231.
Judge San Pedro succeeded Judge Danilo S. Cruz, who served as PJA president from October 2021-December 2021, when he, in turn, succeeded Judge Felix Reyes who optionally retired on September 30, 2021. He was afterwards elected as PJA President and served from January 2022 until July 2023. Judge Cruz has an unblemished record as RTC judge for 25 years and holds the record as the longest serving Executive Judge for 11 years.
Also present at the oath-taking were other PJA National Officers: Judge Gener M. Gito, Vice President (VP)-Administration; Judge Maria Paz R. Yson, VP-External Affairs; Judge Ma. Teresa E. De Guzman-Alvarez, VP-Finance; Judge Elisa R. Sarmiento-Flores, Secretary General; and Judge Cynara Hannah L. Clayton, Corporate Treasurer. They were joined by retired Judge Cruz.
The PJA is the only association of RTC and Family Court (FC) judges that is duly recognized by the Supreme Court. It aims to unite all judges of the RTCs, FCs, Shari’ah District Courts, and all such other courts of equal or similar jurisdictions; preserve and maintain the integrity and independence of the Judiciary by ensuring an efficient and speedy dispensation of justice under the rule of law; and foster a more fraternal relationship among its members by promoting cooperation and mutual understanding among them.
The PJA will hold its next elections on December 6, 2023. The elected officers will assume office in January 2024 and shall serve until December 2025. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez (right) administers the oath of office to Judge Divina Gracia L. Peliño (left) of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 231 as Executive Vice-President of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) at the SC Dignitaries Lounge on July 31, 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez poses for posterity with the officers of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) led by its newly-sworn in President, Family Court Judge Byron G. San Pedro (fourth from left) of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 15, and Executive Vice President, Judge Divina Gracia L. Peliño of the Pasay City RTC, Branch 231.
Also in photo are (from left) Judge Cynara Hannah L. Clayton of Manila City RTC Branch 8, Corporate Treasurer; Judge Gener M. Gito of Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206, VP-Administration, (Ret.) Judge Danilo Cruz of Pasig City RTC Branch 152, former PJA President; Judge Maria Paz R. Yson, VP-External Affairs; Judge Ma. Teresa E. De Guzman-Alvarez of Caloocan City Branch 131, VP-Finance, and Judge Elisa R. Sarmiento-Flores of Pasig City RTC Branch 71, Secretary General. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)