Good news

Rightly or wrongly but undeniably, our courts do not enjoy the kind of desirable reputation that inspires confidence in our justice system. And this is mainly due to media hype on the bad news involving a few members of the judiciary. Indeed no other office in the government demands a higher form of morality, competence, integrity, fairness and independence than the judiciary since its function involves the delicate task of dispensing justice. So the acts or omissions of its members failing to meet those higher standards set, even if they merely tend to but do not actually diminish the people’s faith in the judiciary, is more newsworthy as they are more sensational and good for the business. The bad news always takes the limelight while the good news sometimes does not even merit any media attention. Thus the very institution mainly tasked with rooting out any form of unfairness in our society is itself the victim of that unfairness through imbalance reporting.

One piece of good news worth reporting however is the recent appointments in the Court of Appeals. The list of new appointees is quite impressive. They all deserve to be promoted to the second highest court of the land mainly because of their long, dedicated and capable service in the administration of justice untainted by any form of irregularity or ineptitude. Most of them are judges of the Regional Trial Courts who have quietly, diligently, conscientiously, efficiently and fairly performed their roles as the "front-liners" in the search for truth and justice. Their appointments evoke a fresh and resurgent hope and trust in our justice system. They are most valuable in rebuilding the sagging reputation of our courts. Worth mentioning specially are our brand new Justices of the Court of Appeals, Santiago J. Ranada, Jr. and Lucenito N. Tagle.

Justice Santiago J. Ranada, Jr. has spent the major part of his professional career in the bench. He easily stands out as among the better judges whose knowledge and prudence fit him well for the job. He has the judicial temperament and erudition sufficient to inspire confidence among litigants that justice will be done in their cases. He should have been in the Court of Appeals much earlier so his appointment is really long in coming.

Ditto with Justice Lucenito N. Tagle. Easily noticeable is his sincerity and kind-heartedness, and his strong sense of responsibility who "truly dedicates himself quite well to the task at hand". These are the traits that will give the necessary shot in the arm to the slackening pace in the dispensation of justice in this country.

Justices Ranada, Jr. and Tagle have one thing in common. They are both happily married to supportive and caring women who have unstintingly helped them not only in attaining their high judicial positions but more importantly in making marriages inviolable and strengthening Filipino families as basic units of society, through their own life and example. Jun and Evelyn Ranada, and Nito and Cora Tagle are faithful, long and good standing members of the Christian Family Movement (CFM). They are part and parcel of an organization of couples rearing Christ centered families whose lives are deeply guided by the values imbued in the Gospel. Hence their well-deserved appointments were met with gratitude, elation and pride by the CFM couples. Led by its incumbent President-couple, Rolly and Josie Mesa, the CFMers, including past officers and presidents, gave the two Justices a testimonial at the house of Frank and Nini Ramos, the president couple of the CFM Foundation last March 27, 2004.

Truly, we CFMers have all the reasons to celebrate not only because of answered prayers but more so because of the firm conviction that Justices Ranada, Jr. and Tagle are most valuable additions to the Court of Appeals as they will bring with them the Gospel values and principles they so admirably adhered to in their marriage and family life.

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