By Leilanie G. Adriano & Bernardo B. Ver II
LAOAG CITY—A huge electronic billboard showing the smiling face of newly appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Madarang Peralta was strategically displayed at the northern approach of the Gilbert bridge here to express how Ilocanos take pride in another son from the north who is now the head of the judiciary.
“Congratulations to the newly appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. A true Ilokano magistrate, Chief Justice Diosdado Madarang Peralta!” Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc posted in his social media account after President Rodrigo Duterte officially appointed him on October 23, 2019.
“So blessed are the Ilocanos who stand so proud and extremely happy on your appointment,” said provincial government treasurer Josephine Calajate as she congratulated him in social media.
Mr. Peralta, who hails from Laoag City, has been with the judiciary for more than three decades.
He started his career in government service as prosecutor in Laoag City in 1987 then he moved to Manila in 1988. Six years later, he became a regional trial court judge in Quezon City.
In 2002, he was promoted to the Sandiganbayan and became its presiding justice in 2008.
Mr. Peralta graduated in 1979 from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law.
Mr. Peralta, during his interview with members of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) said his works as member of the bench is enough proof that he deserves to be the top magistrate.
IN board congratulates CJ Peralta
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan congratulated and commended Mr. Peralta in a provincial resolution.
According to SP member Atty. Saul Paulo Lazo, who sponsored the measure, he said that the province is “exceedingly glad that one of her sons was able to rise and became the Chief Magistrate of the Supreme Court on October 23, 2019, and sworn before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte”.
Mr. Peralta was born on March 27, 1952, second in the brood of four of the late former Judge Elviro L. Peralta and former public teacher, Mrs. Catalina Madarang-Peralta from Laoag City.
The chief magistrate is married to the honorable Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) Fernanda Lampas-Peralta and are blessed with three children.
Mr. Peralta finished his Bachelor of Science degree at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1974, pursued law and at the University of Sto. Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and graduated in 1979. After passing the Bar, he worked in the private sector and later on joined the government as an Assistant City Prosecutor, 1987, and Manila, 1988. In 1994, he was appointed Judge of the Regional Trial Court-Branch 95, Quezon City which was designated as Special Criminal Court on Heinous Crimes and later, Drugs cases.
The legislative act was passed and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on October 28, 2019.