Sandigan presiding justice chairs judges board for Tops 2012 search

JUSTICE Francisco Villaruz Jr., presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan, lead this year's Final Board of the Judges for the Metrobank Foundation Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (Tops). Joining him were key representatives from different sectors of society.

The final judging process, which comprised documents review and panel interview, gave the judges a deeper appreciation to the military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The two-day judging put the 20 finalists in the spotlight as they answer various questions from the judges ranging from their personal accomplishments and to the issues that the AFP and our country are facing.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francisco Villaruz Jr. (standing, left) leads the Final Board of Judges for the 2012 Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (Tops), which include Gilberto Duavit Jr., president & COO of GMA Network Inc. (standing, right); San Beda College Mendiola president Rev. Fr. Aloysius Maranan, OSB (seated, extreme right); former ambassador to the Vatican and now chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) Henrietta de Villa (2nd from left); Peter Wallace, chairman of the Wallace Business Forum (seated, extreme left); and Judith Lopez, chairman and senior partner of Isla Lipana & Co. (2nd from right).

"The 20 finalists are really extraordinary. When I read over the documentation of the finalists, I feel there are a great bulk of soldiers in the country who are good and who are really doing their best for the service of the people," said Justice Villaruz.

The finalists, who underwent rigorous screening process, consisted of eight commissioned officers from Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force and from the Technical and Administrative Services of AFP, the Corps of Professors and eleven enlisted personnel from the three major branch of service of AFP.

A maximum of 10 will be named as this year's Tops awardees who will be awarded on September as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Metrobank.

"More than recognizing deserving soldiers who have made significant contributions to service, the Search for TOPS recognizes that ensuring is a shared responsibility between the military and the civilian," said Nicanor Torres Jr., executive director of the Metrobank Foundation.

The winners are set to be announced in a press conference to be held at the AFP General Headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo on June in line with the celebration of the 114th Independence Day of the Philippines.

Now on its 13th year, the Search for Tops is an annual program undertaken by the Metrobank Foundation and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro, in partnership with AFP. (PR)