Chief Justice Gesmundo Administers Oath to New Construction Arbitrators
July 13, 2022
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo administers the oath of office to the 28 new accredited construction arbitrators of the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC) on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
The arbitrators comprise the 10th batch of members of the construction arbitration industry who will facilitate the expeditious resolution of construction disputes before the courts.
The Chief Justice inducted the new construction arbitrators from the Division Hearing Room of the Supreme Court in Ermita, Manila, through a hybrid induction and oath-taking ceremony organized by the CIAC and the Philippine Institute of Construction Arbitrators & Mediators, Inc. The rest of the attendees were either physically present at Hotel Jen in Pasay City or virtually present through videoconferencing platform.
The Chief Justice commended the CIAC for keeping up with the times, acknowledging that they “have proven [their] capacity to adapt, innovate and constantly improve processes and human resources.”
He noted that similar to the Judiciary, which is gearing up for digital shift, the CIAC has conducted online or virtual proceedings, as early as the second half of 2020 after the declaration of a national emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is comforting to know that [alternative dispute resolution] ADR institutions such as the CIAC continue to function and carry out their mandated tasks and make the necessary adjustments as the whole world transitions to the full use of digital technology,” the Chief Justice emphasized. He further commended CIAC for “contributing substantially to the decongestion of court dockets” through its role in ADR.
The CIAC was established in 1985 to ensure “early and expeditious settlement of disputes” to provide stability to enterprises and avoid bureaucratic delays. Retired Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Teresita V. Diaz-Baldos serves as its incumbent Chairperson. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)