PH Chief Justice Bersamin Visits Guam
Consul General to Guam Marciano de Borja (fourth from right), Philippine Consulate General in Agana Vice Consul Alex O. Vallespin (second from right) and the officers of the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) led by its president James Robinson (seventh from right) welcome Chief Justice and Mrs. Lucas Bersamin (seventh and eighth from left) at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport in the early morning of 22 June 2019. (Loisa Cabuhat photo)
AGANA 03 July 2019 — Philippine Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Aurora Bersamin, visited Guam on 21-24 June 2019 as guest-of-honor and keynote speaker during the annual Philippine Independence Ball hosted by the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort on 22 June 2019.
The event is part of the month-long celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence attended by over 500 guests. Dignitaries from the Guam Government led by Governor Lou Leon Guerrero accompanied by First Gentleman Jeffrey Cook include Supreme Court Chief Justice Katherine Maraman, 35th Guam Legislature senators, and University of Guam president Dr. Thomas Krise.
Consul General to Guam Marciano de Borja led the ceremonial toast with Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.
“No other place outside the Philippines is Philippine Independence more celebrated than here on Guam. The relationship between the Philippines and Guam is vibrant and strong. My prayer is that under Gov. Leon Guerrero’s leadership, this relationship can be closer and even stronger. We are very privileged to have the Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines, the fifth highest official in our homeland. His presence – and his wife, Mrs. Bersamin – in this occasion gives it more relevance and importance,” said the Consul General.
In her response, Governor Leon Guerrero said, “On behalf of the people of Guam, I would like to extend our sincerest appreciation for the contributions that the Filipino community have given to the people of Guam.”
In line with the theme “Kalayaan 2019: Courage of the Nation, Compassion for the People”, Chief Justice Bersamin talked about key points in Philippine history leading to its proclamation of independence. “Malasakit (compassion) is the social fabric that binds us together in the task of nation building. A crucial element for strengthening the social fabric is assuring justice for our people,” the Chief Justice said.
Chief Justice Bersamin, Consul General de Borja and Guam Supreme Court Presiding Judge Alberto C. Lamorena III administered the oath of office of the 2019-2020 FCG officers led by its president James Robinson, members of the board of trustees, and members of the board of directors, respectively.
The 35th Guam Legislature presented a Legislative Resolution to the FCG, recognizing the organization’s civic works and various contributions to Guam society.
On 23 June 2019, the Consulate General led by Consul General de Borja and Chief Justice Bersamin joined the Philippine Independence thanksgiving mass conducted in Filipino at the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Tamuning concelebrated by former FCG president Fr. Rudy Arejola, Fr. Joel de los Reyes, and Fr. Val Rodriguez.
After the holy mass, Chief Justice Bersamin and Consul General de Borja joined the FCG, in cooperation with the Batangas and Southern Tagalog Association of Guam (BASTA) headed by its president Marie Cummings, during the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Apolinario Mabini Shrines at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Asan. END
Consul General de Borja and Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero lead the ceremonial toast at the annual Philippine Independence Ball organized by the FCG on 22 June 2019. (Agana PCG photo)
Consul General de Borja administers the oath of office of the FCG board of trustees at the 2019 Philippine Independence Ball. (Agana PCG photo)
Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin delivers his keynote speech at the FCG annual Philippine Independence Ball on 22 June 2019. (Agana PCG photo)
Consul General de Borja, Chief Justice Bersamin and FCG president James Robinson during the Philippine Independence mass offertory at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 23 June 2019. (Agana PCG photo)
Chief Justice and Mrs. Bersamin (sixth and seventh from left) and Consul General de Borja (fifth from left) with FCG president James Robinson (fourthfrom left) and Batangas and Southern Tagalog Association (BASTA) officers and members led by its president Marie Cummings (sixth from right) during the wreath-laying ceremony at the Apolinario Mabini Shrines, War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Asan, Guam, 23 June 2019. (Agana PCG photo)
Consul General de Borja and Madame Esperanza A. De Borja (third and fourth from left) with Chief Justice Bersamin and Mrs. Bersamin (third and fourth from right ) at the Official Residence of the Consul General in Jonestown, 23 June 2019. (Agana PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.aganapcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippinesguam.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAgana/.