1st Phl-born judge in Calgary takes oath

The first Philippine-born judge took her oath as newest judge in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in Calgary, Canada.

“I am proud of my Filipino heritage,” Justice L. Bernette Ho said in her remarks after taking her oath.

Ho took her oath of office and allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen in a swearing-in ceremony last month before Associate Chief Justice John Rooke and the other justices at the Calgary Courts Center.

Consul General Gilberto Asuque, who attended the swearing-in ceremony, congratulated Ho on her assumption of judicial duties.

“I would like to express the great honor and pride not only of Filipinos in Canada but also in the Philippines and all over the world for having Justice Ho as the first Philippine-born Canadian to hold a high judicial position,” Asuque said.

The Philippine Consulate General in Calgary said Ho was only seven months old when her Filipino parents and four siblings migrated to Calgary, Canada in 1971.

Ho completed her early education in Cochrane, Alberta and completed her BA Communication Studies from the University of Calgary in 1992 served, and her law studies from the University of Alberta in 1995.

Ho volunteers her time with such organizations as the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank, the Salvation Army, and Theatre Calgary, where she was a member of the Board of Directors. Professionally, she has been a volunteer with the Alberta Bar Admission Course and with the Law Society of Alberta, where she served on the Professional Responsibility Committee and the Conduct Committee.

At the time of her appointment, she was a member of the board of directors for the Legal Education Society of Alberta.