New SC chief justice bans cell phones during office hours

Court personnel nationwide are banned from using cellular telephones during office hours.

This was one of the first directives of new Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin who attended his first flag raising ceremony as head of the judiciary yesterday at the Supreme Court (SC) in Manila.

"Iwasan ang paggamit ng cellphones habang nasa trabaho. Nakakahiya. Maliit na bagay yan pero dun tayo magsisimula (Let us avoid using cellphones while on duty. It’s shameful. This may be petty, but it’s a good start),” Bersamin told SC officials and employees.

Bersamin, who was appointed chief justice last week as successor of retired Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro, said that in his 11 months tenure he will pursue judicial reforms and address the problems in the lower courts.

"Wala akong maipapangako sa inyo kundi ang ipagpatuloy ko ang paninilbihan with all sincerity in my heart (I have no promise to you except that I will continue to serve with all sincerity in my heart). I intend also to address our persistent problems in the lower courts," he said.

"I ask you to welcome me, to love me, to support me, to help me in my 11 months. Maikli lang 'yan pagbigyan n’yo na po ako (It's just a short period so just bear with me)," he appealed.

On the concerns involving the trial courts, Bersamin said: “The biggest problem is the misconception that the SC doesn't care about lower courts and I'd like to correct that." He did not elaborate.

He said he will meet with judges, court personnel, officials of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PJA), members of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), employees' associations and other officers of the judiciary to discuss judicial reform issues.

A big banner and colorful balloons greeted the new chief justice during his first flag-raising ceremony.