SC lauds Cebu lawyer for outstanding work

In the 27th search for the Supreme Court’s 2018 Outstanding Judges and Clerksof-Court for Judicial Excellence, Cebu-based lawyer Perpetual Socorro Enriquez-Belarmino took home the outstanding branch clerk-of-court award.

Belarmino, 54, who served the judiciary for about 20 years as a clerk-of-court, told The FREEMAN that the award she received is a “once in a lifetime experience.”

"I am happy. Consistent nako nga public service finally na-recognized," she said, adding she hope that her award will serve as example to the young ones.

Belarmino, who is married to a practicing lawyer, Atty. Jose Lindo Belarmino, was nominated by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter.

TheIBPCebuCityChapter described Belarmino as "a rarity in the public service because, despite the overwhelming workload, she always maintains a pleasant equanimity without any behavioral or attitude problems."

Before Belarmino became a clerk-of-court of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 8, she once was the clerk-of-court of RTC Branch 15 for 15 years.

At a young age, Belarmino was already known for excellence.

Belarmino was awarded as one of the Outstanding High School Students for Cebu for 1980. She finished her secondary studies at the Cebu City National Science High School in Labangon, Cebu City in 1980.

Before she took up law at the University of San Carlos (USC) where she graduated in 1990, she took up a double degree in Bachelor of Science major in Accountancy and Business Administration in the same university.

Belarmino passed the bar in 1991.

Her two sons Joshua, 25, a graduate of USC, is now taking the bar, and Alphonse Louie, 23, now taking up law at the University of San JoseRecoletos, are following the couple's paths.

RTC Judge Macaundas Hadjirasul of Branch 8 described Belarmino's integrity and competence as "irreproachable," in the journal released during the awarding ceremonies on November 8, 2018.

Before Belarmino joined the judiciary, she worked as an associate lawyer of the Palma and Ybañez Law Firm. Eventually, she became a law partner at J.C. Palma and Partners.

Also, Belarmino became a legal officer III at the Cebu City Attorney's Office.

Moreover, Belarmino was the only finalist for the 2018 outstanding clerk-of- court for second level court after she was able to comply with the requirements that include a certification from the Supreme Court for the monthly submission of report of cases.

IBP Cebu Province PresidentAtty. Mundlyn MisalMartin, who conducted the validation, said Belarmino was the only one who qualified in the validation, based on the instructions from Manila.

"She is valuable to the judiciary and the people who knew her well spoke highly of her. I just reported that matter. I also knew her as one of my senior colleagues in the legal profession. I respected her," Martin said.

IBP Cebu City President Atty. Jose Glenn Capanas said Belarmino "has proven to be a person of probity and integrity; she would not fail to communicate to us concerns that affected the courts." —