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Arthur Principe, 35, was officially hired as a utility worker II at the Supreme Court. His position may not be that high or big to merit media attention. But it is not his job nor his position, but Principe himself, which merits such attention. With his hiring, Principe became the first deaf-mute employee of the Supreme Court.

His application for a position in the Supreme Court was approved by Chief Justice Reynaldo Puno. In his approval, Puno cited his policy on avenues for the poor and marginalized groups such as persons with disability (PWD). Puno also based his decision upon the recommendation of Justice Arturo Brion, who himself has hearing impairment.

Principe’s appointment is co-terminus with Brion. He started to report to his office last March 12. He is now part of the more than 2,000 employees of the Supreme Court.

In spite of his condition, Principe has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Management degree which he took up from the CAP College School for the Deaf in Pasay City. Parts of his duties and responsibilities in the Supreme Court include managing of files, encoding and photocopying of documents and doing some errands.

Before his appointment in the Supreme Court, Principe had a brief working stint being a sales crew of a popular clothing brand at SM Harrison Plaza.

Doing clerical work is not new to Principe though, as he already has some experience doing the same kind of duties as part of his on-the-job training at CAP College and the Nova-CBM ICT Training Center, a school of the Nova Foundation for Differently Abled Persons, Inc., a Philippine-based non-government organization.

Principe’s hiring the country’s highest court could set the precedent on the recognition of the rights of people with disability and appreciate their qualifications and abilities, instead of just looking at their handicaps.