Press Release
October 19, 2009

Gordon bats for better compensation, safer work environment for Judges

Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) wants better compensation and safer work environment for judges to ensure that they can carry out their constitutional mandate of giving justice to the people. Gordon, speaking at the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) forum held at the Century Park Hotel in Manila, stressed that judges occupy a position of honor in ensuring that the rule of law prevails in the country. "Nagpunta ako dito hindi lang para pag-usapan ang allowances ninyo, o yung pagtaas ninyo, ngunit palakasin ang ating husgado. Because I don't think you'll be proud of a judicial system na kayo ay tinitingi, na kayo umaangal dahil kapos," he said. "I will do my level best in whatever position to see to it that you are provided with the means, you are provided with the protection, you are provided with the integrity that we must exact to see to it that the law is imposed, that this country honors the majesty of the law, and we become number one not in human rights violations but the number one example in the rule of law," he added.

Gordon pointed out that with the rising number of judges killed, usually by motorcycle-riding assassins; it is only by imposing higher penalties on the perpetrators that we could prevent the slaying of judges.

"I advocate that when a judge is assassinated, that is a slap in the face of lady justice in this country, and therefore, reclusion perpetua kaagad ang ipataw doon sa papatay sa judge. Dapat lalabanan natin ang mga lapastangan sa katarungan," he said.

"Your position is honor. There was a time in this country that when a judge walks the streets, everybody steps aside to let him pass because he is an honorable man or woman. I would like to see that day again everyday of our lives in this country," the senator added.

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