The University of California (UC)-Berkeley has conferred the Elise and Walter A. Hass International Award on former Chief Justice Reynato Puno for his distinguished record of service in the Philippine judiciary.

Puno is the first Filipino to receive the award.

The Philippine Consulate- General
(PCG) in San Francisco, USA, said the award honors an international UC Berkeley alumnus who has a distinguished record of service to his or her country.

Puno finished his Master of Laws course at the UC Berkeley's Boalt School of Law in 1968.

The award was given during the University's commencement convocation earlier this month.

His citation read: “Chief Justice Puno has served his country in a variety of roles since 1971, yet his leadership as head of the court has led to several critical reforms. A noted champion for human rights, he drove an aggressive campaign to end the widespread killings of journalists and activists. To clean up judiciary corruption, he established a review process for prohibiting employment of the spouses of justices and punishing impropriety in the court system. He has also worked tirelessly to bring the courts closer to the people. One notable program converts buses into mobile courtrooms that travel to jails to release overstaying inmates, as well as provide legal and medical services to prisoners. Finally, Chief Justice Puno has designated special courts to handle environmental cases, strengthening the court’s role in protecting and preserving the environment.”

The Elise and Walter A. Haas International Award was established by Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Haas Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Peter E. Haas, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard N. Goldman.

One of the most prestigious honors conferred by the Berkeley campus, the award was created to mark the 50th wedding anniversary of Walter A. Haas, longtime head of Levi Strauss, and his wife, arts patron Elise Haas. The award acknowledges their devotion to the University of California-Berkeley, and their interest in international affairs.

It includes a cash prize of $15,000, an engraved medallion, and travel expenses for the recipient to attend the award’s presentation.

Puno was nominated for the award by Johnny de Castro, a Filipino lawyer pursuing his Doctorate in Laws degree at the same university.

Upon his graduation, De Castro will be the first Filipino to receive the Doctorate in Law degree from UC-Berkeley, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Puno retired as the 22nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on May 14, 2010 and was replaced by Chief Justice Renato Corona on May 17. (With details from www.urel.berkeley.edu)