MetCJAP’s 14th National Convention successfully done in Dapitan; CJ Sereno as guest speaker

At the Presidential table (From left) Judge San Gaspar-Gito,

Judge Merlas, Cong. Bullet Jalosjos CJ Sereno and Mayor

Jing Chan. (Photo Provided)

DAPITAN CITY - The Metropolitan and City Judges Association of the Philippines (MetCJAP) successfully concluded the four days 14^th National Convention-Seminar held at Dakak Park and Beach Resort, Taguilon, Dapitan City on September 11-14, 2012 with Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno as guest speaker.

Sereno, named as the fifth Most Powerful Person in the Philippines and the first lady Chief Justice to lead the judiciary, visited the historic City of Dapitan, particularly the Adventure Park at Dakak Park and Beach Resort.

Sereno’s visit in the Shrine City on September 12, 2012 was her 19^th day in office as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

“CJ Sereno opted not to read her prepared speech for the judges who were attending the convention. She spoke from her heart instead and captured the audience with her inspirational, witty and sincere speech,” said City Councilor Apple Marie A. Agolong, Chair of Committee on Tourism.

Among the speakers at the event were top officials in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, including first district Congressman Seth Frederick “Bullet” P. Jalosjos, Governor Rolando E. Yebes, and Dapitan City Mayor Patri “Jing” Bajamunde-Chan. 

Councilor Agolong estimated nearly 300 judges from all over the country attended the occasion at the world-renowned Dakak Park and Beach Resort in Dapitan.

Members of the MetCJAP during their feeding activities

In Bgry. Cawa-cawa, Dapitan City.

The event kicked off with an outreach program in Barangay Cawa-Cawa, Dapitan City spearheaded by Judge Cesar A. Merlas, president; Judge Emily L. San Gaspar-Gito, executive vice president; Judge Jose Rene G. Dondoyano, assistant public relations officer for Mindanao, and other MetCJAP officers and Board of Trustees.

Feeding activity that benefited more or less 300 children and

adults. They also gave approximately 100 packs of school

supplies to preschoolers.

“The less fortunate people in Barangay Cawa-Cawa were overwhelmed with the feeding activities conducted by the MetCJAP that benefited more or less 300 children and adults. In addition to that, they also extended approximately 100 packs of school supplies to preschoolers,” Agolong said.  

(From the left) Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno, 

Dapitan City Councillor Apple Marie A. Agolong and Judge  

Jose Rene G. Dondoyano.

Barangay Chairman Delfin A. Malingin expressed his heartfelt gratitude and admired MetCJAP for choosing their barangay as recipient of the outreach program. He said residents in their barangay were also grateful and appreciative to the generosity of the judges who voluntarily served food and took their meals with the impoverished despite their high social standing.

Bearing this year’s theme, “Judicial Wellness Part II: Keeping the Balance, Judicial Wellness and Stress,” MetCJAP aims to secure better medical and employment benefits for the judges through acquiring  medical health cards and securing for them entitlement to the “wellness leave,” just like the appellate justices and regional trial court judges.  (With reports by Gretchen Diniay)

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MetCJAP’s 14th National Convention successfully done in Dapitan; CJ Sereno as guest speakerr