MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino-American was installed as the newest judge of the Superior Court of Guam, the Philippine Consulate General in Agana announced.
Maria Teresa Bonifacio Cenzon’s formal ceremony was held last December 20 at the Superior Court of Guam’s Atrium in Hagatna.
Guam Governor Eddie Calvo, who donned a Barong Tagalog, delivered the keynote address. He said it was such a rare occasion that he wore a barong – a formal garment of the Philippines – which he said he felt it important to wear as he said, “ As we know today, it is a historic day.”
Calvo nominated Cenzon to the post in September. Her nomination easily passed the confirmation of the 31st Guam Legislature, the consulate said.
Senator Adolpho Palacios, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, presented the Certificate of Confirmation to Judge Cenzon while Chief Justice Philip Carbullido administered her oath.
Also present during the event were Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz of the Guam 31st Legislature, other incumbent Senators and new Senators-elect, other judges of the Superior Court of Guam, Guam government officials, representatives of the Guam Consular Corps, as well as the family and friends of Judge Cenzon.
A graduate of Loyola University's Chicago School of Law, Judge Cenzon has worked in the field of law in Guam since 1996. She served as the former Director of Policy, Planning and Community Relations of the United Judiciary of Guam and as the legal counsel of Governor Calvo before her appointment as the new judge of the Superior Court of Guam.
Judge Cenzon was born in Guam and is the daughter of Edward and Nita Cenzon, who hail from the province of Pampanga.