HONORED. Manila RTC Judge Gomez-Estoesta receives a plaque containing the city council resolution sponsored by Councilor Marang Morales (center) at the start of the session on Tuesday.
Joining them are (L-R) Councilors Jay Sangil, Dan Lacson, Jojo Dimapiles, Willie Rivera, Joey Pamintuan, Alfie Bonifacio, Atty. Eric Vincent Estoesta, Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, AlexIndiongco, Pogs Suller and Edu Pamintuan.
Photo by Ric Gonzales
ANGELES CITY – A presiding judge at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Manila, who was born here and whose parents are both from this city, is one of the four outstanding judges of the country recently honoured by the Supreme Court (SC) and the Society for Judicial Excellence (SJE).
Atty. Maria Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta, presiding judge of the RTC Branch 7, received the most prestigious Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano Award award among the four winners in the Second-Level Courts Category.
Gomez-Estoesta was born in Barangay Sto.Domingo and studied elementary and high school at the Holy Family Academy (HFA) here. She graduated cum laude at the De La Salle University (DLSU) Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and later finished law at the Ateneo de Manila.
Gomez-Estoesta, who was presented a city council resolution sponsored by Angeles City Councilor Maricel Morales on Tuesday, said “I am a family and God-centered person and I pray before making a decision.”
The 46-year-old judge said “I am proud of my award (as an Angeleno), especially now that some are questioning the integrity of the courts of law.”
Gomez-Estoesta, who was accompanied by her husband Atty. Eric Vincent Estoesta during the awarding at the regular session of the city council, said she is considering the award “as a challenge and more work and responsibility.”
In the website of the SC news, Gomez-Estoesta was described as a “true leader” and received several awards during her 10 years in the judiciary, including SJE’s Most Outstanding Judge for 1st Level Courts and Best Decision in Criminal Cases.
In 2012, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim conferred the Outstanding RTC Judge of Manila to Gomez-Estoesta.
Gomez-Estoesta is the first cousin of beauty queen-turned-councilor Morales, sponsor of Resolution 6548 (series of 2012) congratulating Gomez-Estoesta for winning the award presented by the council led by Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting.
“Of course, I am biased as first cousin of the judge. But her award is an honor to all of us,” said Morales, who read the entire content of the resolution before the start of the regular session.
“Such conferment to Judge Gomez-Estoeta as an Outstanding Judge of Second Level Courts, merits recognition, from the people of Angeles City which recognition should serve as an inspiration for other judges to strive for excellence in the dispensation of justice,” said the resolution co-sponsored by Councilors Willie Rivera, Bryan Nepomuceno, Edu Pamintuan, Alfie Bonifacio and Jay Sangil.
