Chief Justice Gesmundo Details SPJI Projects before Rotary Club Manila
April 21, 2023
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo speaks before members of the Rotary Club Manila on April 20, 2023 at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.
The Supreme Court continues with its efforts to disseminate to the public the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 or the SPJI, the Court’s blueprint for judicial reform.
On April 20, 2023, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo presented the SPJI to members of the Rotary Club Manila (RCM) during the latter’s 35th membership meeting at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.
Also present were Philippine Judicial Academy Chancellor Rosmari D. Carandang, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, and retired Sandiganbayan Justice Raoul V. Victorino.
“The SPJI is our contribution in bridging and building a progressive future not just for the Judiciary but for the whole country as well. Through it, we hope that Filipinos from all sectors and all walks of life will be able to enjoy the full benefits of an effective and efficient judicial system, for long-lasting peace for all,” said Chief Justice Gesmundo during his keynote speech at the event.
Chief Justice Gesmundo added, “The SPJI is only the beginning, but we believe it will set the groundwork for an ever-improving Judiciary. By improving the Judiciary’s ability to serve the public through increased efficiency, continuing innovation, and measures to ensure the accessibility of the courts to all, the Judiciary will better realize its duty of dispensing justice and safeguarding human and constitutional rights.”
Among the specific SPJI projects cited by the Chief Justice are: under the target outcome of Efficiency, the creation of a Caseflow Management Program and a Judiciary Caseflow Management Committee; the promulgation of the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) which was recently launched last April 14, 2023; the updated Code of Judicial Conduct; the digitized Benchbook for Philippine Trial Courts; and the revised model law curriculum.
Under the target outcome of Innovation, Chief Justice Gesmundo shared the following projects: the Philippine Judiciary 365, which allowed the continued administration of justice during the pandemic; conduct of court proceedings through videoconferencing; electronic courts using eCourt system version 2; the Judiciary Enterprise ICT Governance Framework; localized and digitized Bar examinations; ePayment Solution for the payment of legal fees and other collections; and the revision of the Rules of Court to keep up with evolving technology.
Finally, the Chief Justice shared the following projects under the third outcome of Access: the revised Law Student Practice Rule; the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP); the recent National Summit on Legal Aid with the goal of revitalizing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ legal aid program and CLEP; launch of a database of free legal aid providers in the Supreme Court website and other artificial intelligence platforms of the judiciary; adoption of the Guidelines for the Use of Gender-Fair Language in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette; the launch of HerStory: Gender Award of Distinction; the recently concluded National Summit on Shari’ah on Forging the Role of Shari’ah in the National Legal Framework; and the Electronic Justice on Wheels Project.
The Chief Justice concluded his remarks by encouraging RCM members to support the SPJI: “As we both continue with our vocations, in our own respective ways, let us not forget that in more ways than one, we are united in a common goal to bring peace and justice to our nation. Let this bind us in support and cooperation so we may better and faster realize our dream of a better Philippines.”
Following his remarks, the Chief Justice also administered the revised Lawyer’s Oath under the new CPRA to lawyers present at the event.
Chief Justice Gesmundo also gave RCM members the opportunity to ask questions on the SPJI during the open forum. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)