FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 2, 2016

CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERT J. TORRES NAMED RECIPIENT OF

2016 PROFESSOR JOHN M. PHILLIPS
EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AWARD
On September 14, 2016, the Association of Government Accountants Guam
Chapter shall present Chief Justice Robert J. Torres with the 2016 Professor John M.
Phillips Excellence in Government Accountability Award. The award recognizes the
cumulative achievements of a government professional who throughout his/her public
career has served as a role model for others and has consistently exhibited the highest
personal and professional standards. The annual award also recognizes a government
professional who exemplifies and promotes excellence in government, outstanding
leadership, high ethical standards, and innovative management.
Chief Justice Torres is well-versed in the preparation and examination of financial
records having received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from
University of Notre Dame in 1980. For the last three years, during his second term as
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Guam, he has responsibly managed the budget of
the Judiciary of Guam. Under his leadership, the Judiciary has continued to meet its
mission to provide accessible, efficient, and effective court services.
Chief Justice Torres has also played a central role in expanding court services
with the opening of the Northern Court Satellite, employing wireless technology in the
courtrooms, effecting videoconferencing in initial appearances, implementing e-filing and
adopting ethical and use standards for technology in the Judicial Branch. As Chair of the
Judiciarys technology subcommittee, Chief Justice Torres laid the groundwork for the
design and acquisition of a modern case management system. Through the expertise and
vision of Chief Justice Torres, the judiciarys advances in technology and automation
have brought the courts of Guam into the 21st century.
Chief Justice Torres is married to Senator Mary Camacho Torres, and has 3
children and 8 grandchildren.

Past recipients of the Award include Public Auditor Doris Brooks, Guam
Community College President Mary Okada, Senator Ben Pangelinan (posthumously), and
Guam Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Taling Taitano.
For more information concerning this Press Release, contact Dana A. Gutierrez,
Director of Policy, Planning & Community Relations at 300-9282 or
dgutierrez@guamcourts.org.
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