Judge Eve Cho Guillergan has secured a victory in the Democratic primary for Civil Court Judge in Queens, marking a historic first for the Filipino-American community in New York’s judiciary.
Guillergan, who is of Korean and Filipino descent, emphasized the importance of the civil court system in everyday life.
“The civil court is often where regular people turn to. That’s why it’s crucial to treat everyone with kindness, professionalism, and respect,” she said.
Her father is originally from Iloilo City in the Philippines, while her mother is Korean. Guillergan expressed pride in her multicultural background and her opportunity to represent both communities.
She highlighted the significance of fair hearings and due process, noting that civil cases, though routine in nature, often carry personal importance for the individuals involved.
“Everyone deserves to be heard and to feel that their case matters,” she said.
Guillergan also acknowledged the support of community leaders such as Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first Filipino-American elected to the New York State Legislature. She credited leaders like Raga for helping empower the Filipino-American community.
The June 24 Democratic primary featured several competitive races for civil court positions in Queens. Guillergan, Juliette-Noor Haji, and Sheridan Chu emerged as the winning candidates.
In Queens, where Democrats hold a strong majority, a primary victory is often seen as decisive ahead of the general election, scheduled for November 4.
Civil court judges in New York are elected through a partisan process and handle cases such as landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, and civil matters involving up to $50,000. Candidates must collect thousands of petition signatures to qualify for the ballot and may face intra-party competition through primaries.
Guillergan’s win marks a milestone in representation and diversity within the city’s legal system and is seen as an inspiration for more Filipino-Americans to enter public service and the legal profession.
