Deputy Court Administrator Justice NIMFA CUESTA-VILCHES of the Office of the

Court Administrator, Supreme Court of the Philippines is the 2009 Presidential

LINGKOD BAYAN Awardee. This is the highest category in the annual search by the
Civil Service Commission (CSC) for outstanding government officials and workers in
the country.

The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred to an individual or group of

individuals for exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or
performance that had nationwide impact on public interest, security and patrimony.
The contribution may be a suggestion, innovation or superior accomplishment.
Winners receive a gold (gilded) medallion expertly crafted by the Banko Sentral ng
Pilipinas, a Presidential Plaque containing the citation and signature of the
President of the Philippines and a cash prize of One Hundred Thousand Pesos
(Php100,000.00).

The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred on to Justice NIMFA C. VILCHES

for her outstanding contributions in making justice available for all and her
advocacies on women and children’s rights. She carried on with the Supreme Court’s
Justice on Wheels program, giving free legal aid and assistance to the poor and
needy, which expedited the hearing of minor cases and led to the release of more
than a thousand detained prisoners. She spearheaded information and education
campaign for farmers, fisherfolks and indigenous people of their rights under the
law. In her 26 years of public service in the Supreme Court, she has displayed
professionalism and efficiency in the execution of her responsibilities.

"Pursuant to Sec. 5, Executive Order No. 508, dated March 2, 1992, as amended
by Executive Order No. 77, dated March 31, 1993, a Lingkod Bayan Awardee is
entitled automatic promotion to the next higher position suitable to their
qualifications and with commensurate salary; provided, that, if there is no next
higher position or it is not vacant, said position shall be included in the next
budget of the office, except when the creation of a new position would result in
distortion in the organizational structure of the department, office or agency.
Where there is no next higher position immediately available, a salary increase
equivalent to the next higher position shall be given and incorporated in the
basic pay. When a new position is created, that which is vacated shall be deemed
abolished.

The Awardees: http://www.csc.gov.ph/ANNOUNCE2009/ann060s2009.pdf