Saturday, May 24, 2008 S. Mindanao only lady chief is city prosecutor By Ana Felicia Dulay
SINCE our younger days, Janet Grace B. Dalisay-Fabrero has always been a shoulder to cry on. I have known her to be at the beck and call of her close friends and family.
It is not surprising then that she has dedicated her life as a public servant. Lawyer Fabrero, who turned 40 last April 20, is the Chief City Prosecutor of Panabo City. She was only 37 years old when she was appointed to the position three years ago.
To date, she is the only lady chief prosecutor in a male-dominated world.
"As of 2007, there are about 67 public prosecutors and only 24 are women in Region 11. This is roughly 36 percent of the total population of prosecutors," she said in a recent interview.
"There are less lady prosecutors because of the imminent threat to lives. There is danger since it deals with the prosecution of criminal cases also. Not to mention the time needed to prosecute a case," she said.
Fabrero admits that the ratio of prosecutors to the cases that need to be prosecuted is simply overwhelming.
She should know as before her present position, Fabrero was a Prosecutor 1 and a year after was appointed Prosecutor 2, then assistant city prosecutor in 2004. She rose from the ranks due to her indefatigable dedication to her work.
"Back then, I had multi-furious functions. I was handling cases in three municipalities: Dujali, Panabo and Sto. Tomas. I was mobile those days. I travel all over these places to hear cases," she said.
For now, her job satisfaction lies when she feels justice has been served in a particular case. She lauds a particular conviction of the suspect behind the rape of a five-year-old girl.
Being a mother to Bea Andrea, 11, it is understandable how she reacts strongly to victims of rape, especially the ones involving minors. Fabrero is also a strong advocate of Republic Act (RA) 9062 or Violence Against Women and Children.
Her experience as overseas employment adjudicator in the entire Mindanao for the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) where she was previously employed has helped in her present job.
"Most of the documented cases of children and women who were able to leave the country, victims of trafficking, were eventually prosecuted before the courts," she said.
This dedication to public service runs in her genes.
Fabrero admits being inspired by her late grandfather, Desiderio Dalisay Sr. and parents Felito and Norma Benedicto Dalisay. Desiderio Sr. was a known philanthropist and founder of the Maharlika Foundation.
Despite the lure of private practice, Fabrero remains true to her job.
"I passed the bar exams in 1994 and I could have gone into private practice if I really wanted to," she said.
Instead, to augment her income, she teaches Business Law subjects at the CPA board review center of the Ateneo de Davao University. Since 1999, Fabrero has been handling the review of business law subjects in preparation for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board exams.
As to whether justice is indeed being served in the country, Fabrero stresses that it is.
"But you cannot control other factors for its delay like the lack of prosecutors, judges and public attorneys. The salaries are not as inviting compared to private practice and private companies," she said.
As of the moment, Fabrero is happy with the way the government is improving remunerations for prosecutors and public attorneys.
"The government is taking considerable effort to invite more lawyers to join public service and urge the ones already there to stay. The government is making public service more lucrative for lawyers now," she said.
Such fine words for this fine lady, who has shown unequivocal devotion not only in her professional life but also in her interpersonal relationships. I should know having been her friend for more than two decades now.
