Justice Singh Pays Tribute to Social Workers, Criminologists
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh pays tribute to social workers and criminologists during her inspirational message at the National Conference of Social Workers and Criminologists in the Philippine Criminal Justice System held at Bayview Park Hotel Manila in Ermita, Manila on November 22, 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh extolled the social workers and criminologists as she recognized their work and advocacy to protect the rights of persons deprived of liberty especially those who are most vulnerable such as the children, the elderly, the women, the sick, and the differently-abled during the National Conference of Social Workers and Criminologists in the Philippine Criminal Justice System held at Bayview Park Hotel Manila in Ermita, Manila on November 22, 2023.
“On your shoulders rest the future of many of our children in conflict with the law and our children at risk,” Justice Singh said in her inspirational message.
Consistent with the conference theme Social Workers, Criminologists, and Criminal Justice: Forging alliances and collaborations among the Pillars of the Justice System, Justice Singh pointed out that it “is a great reminder to all of us that your work as social workers and criminologists are indispensable.”
Justice Singh recalled her days as a trial court judge when she handled cases of children in conflict with the law and juveniles, as well as disadvantaged and underserved individuals. Her firsthand experience working with social workers and criminologists motivated her to accept the invitation to the conference and underscored how the expertise of the social workers and criminologists can efficiently help children to admit and accept their wrongdoings and to recognize the consequences of their acts and omissions, and embrace the theory of reformation.
Justice Singh also took the opportunity to express the Court’s gratitude to all social workers and criminologists “for [their] selfless service to the Filipino people, especially to the children who are the hope of our motherland.”
In closing, she encouraged all social workers and criminologists to communicate to the Supreme Court their work-related concerns. “We rely on you, we depend on you,” said Justice Singh who stressed that all stakeholders should work together to improve the criminal justice system.
“May we never tire of doing our roles in fostering a fair and just, efficient and accessible justice system for the Filipino people. Remember, this is not about us, this is about our people and our collective future. Save one child, and you increase our lifeline to tomorrow,” Justice Singh ended.
The conference by the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. (HLAF) will be held until November 24, 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh (first row, 8th from left), together with Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Atty. Rommel Alim Abitria (first row, right of Justice Singh), poses for posterity with social workers and criminologists at the National Conference of Social Workers and Criminologists in the Philippine Criminal Justice System held at Bayview Park Hotel Manila in Ermita, Manila on November 22, 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)