by Nick Delgado

Guam - After months of going through the required process, Maria Cenzon was officially sworn-in to the superior court bench. "Before all of you I have placed my hand on the Holy Bible and taken a solemn oath in the presence of Almighty God and to discharge my duties uphold the rule of law and conscientiously and impartially," she announced.

Surrounded by members of the bar, family and friends, Cenzon was sworn-in as the island's newest judge. Chief Justice F. Philip Carbullido said, "I know the people of Guam will be served well by Judge Maria Teresa Cenzon, welcome to the Guam Judiciary." The Judiciary's Legislative Committee chair, Senator Adolpho Palacios, presented Judge Cenzon with her official confirmation certificate.

Governor Eddie Calvo gave the keynote address, saying, "She never shied from recommendations or decisions that would be less popular, but always right."

The former governor's legal counsel and former Judiciary's court policy, planning and communication director recognized her predecessor retired judge Elizabeth Barrett Andersen. "I will work tirelessly to uphold the promise made during my confirmation hearing to deliver nothing less than a swift, efficient and fair justice," she declared. "I will witness innocence lost due to misplaced trust and despite the feelings I may have in all this I vow to render decisions based on the law."

Judge Cenzon will begin her day tomorrow where she will be briefed on the many criminal and civil cases that she will oversee. She will also perform a wedding ceremony in the afternoon.