Chief Justice Gesmundo: Every Court Employee is Important in the Administration of Justice
August 11, 2023
“Every employee in the Court, and indeed, every employee in the Judiciary, plays an important role in the administration of justice. There is no distinction as to what level you are, or what position you hold: every employee in the Court is important to us.”
This was stressed by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo as he addressed court officials and personnel at the Supreme Court Employees Association’s (SCEA) 36th Founding Anniversary and Annual General Assembly, held on August 11, 2023, at the Supreme Court-Court of Appeals Gymnasium in Ermita, Manila.
In his message, the Chief Justice underscored the importance of all court employees in the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI): “Advancing your welfare was among the foremost considerations in its design, and it will remain a foundation of our pursuit of its reforms and innovations.” With this, the Chief Magistrate also challenged the SCEA Members: “We will need your active involvement and participation if we are to succeed in turning to reality our vision of a revitalized Judiciary that delivers responsive and real- time justice.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo also highlighted several undertakings under the SPJI that are centered on the welfare and development of court employees: capitalizing on artificial intelligence for court operations and formulating the Judiciary Enterprise ICT Governance Framework; initiatives towards a more inclusive and responsive health and welfare program; and opening online learning platforms for court officials and employees through the Philippine Judicial Academy. “To us, it is clear: if we want the Judiciary to better serve our people, we must first better serve the people who comprise the Judiciary— including the employees of the Supreme Court,” said the Chief Justice.
Chief Justice Gesmundo also reminded the newly elected SCEA officers, who took their Oath of Office before the Chief Justice: “Alongside pursuing these reforms, may we never forget that in order for us to reach our goal, we must continuously perform our duties in accordance with only the highest standards of excellence, always striving to live up to the SCEA’s vision of Court employees that are truly valued, productive, and honorable.”
Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier also spoke before the SCEA members present and expressed her admiration for SCEA’s contribution to the Judiciary: “You are a model of everything an employee association should be. You are not just a force to be reckoned with, but also a voice to reckon with; when you speak, people listen.” She added that the Chief Justice, Senior Associate Justice, and the other Associate Justices are all appreciative of, and grateful for their services: “We cannot do our vital role as the final dispenser of justice without your invaluable support on the ground.”
Justice Javier took the opportunity to remind the newly elected SCEA Officers: “Your positions are not positions of power but rather positions by which you have been sworn to serve. You are the servants of the Association; the members are your Bosses. May you serve with all your heart and with all your might, and always with integrity, dignity, and love.”
Further, Justice Javier called on the SCEA members to be understanding and supportive of SCEA’s Officers and Board of Directors, concluding that the success of the Association will also redound to the benefit of the Supreme Court.
Joining Chief Justice Gesmundo and Associate Justice Javier were Atty. Teresita A. Tuazon, Deputy Clerk of Court, Second Division and Atty. Marilyn I. De Joya, Officer-in-Charge of the Fiscal Management and Budget Office.
The newly elected SCEA Officers for 2023-2025 are: Erwin D. Ocson, President; Albert S. Montinola, Vice-President; Cynthia Ines M. Abad, Secretary; Oliva Q. Tubaga, Treasurer; and Ma. Lourdes P. Serrano, Auditor. The SCEA Board of Directors is composed of: Rossana T. Ramos, Sectoral Representative I; Nancy S. Rivera, Sectoral Representative II; Eduardo M. Irigayen, Jr., Sectoral Representative IV; Susan M. Doronio, Rosemarie D. Labro, and Luis M. De Guzman, Sectoral Representative V; Mercelinda R. Gutierrez, Sectoral Representative VII; and Lirio G. Caranguian, Sectoral Representative VIII.
This year marks the 36th Founding Anniversary of SCEA with the theme “Ang SCEA bilang sandigan ng mga kawani tungo sa mapamaraang layunin para sa reporma at inisyatiba.” (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier addresses Supreme Court officials and employees at the 36th Founding Anniversary and Annual General Assembly of the Supreme Court Employees Association (SCEA) on August 11, 2023 at the Supreme Court-Court of Appeals Gymnasium in Ermita, Manila. Also in photo is Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, who administered the oath of office to the newly elected Board of Directors and Officers of SCEA.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo administers the oath of office to the newly elected Board of Directors and Officers of the Supreme Court Employees Association at its 36th Founding Anniversary and Annual General Assembly held on August 11, 2023, at the Supreme Court-Court of Appeals Gymnasium in Ermita, Manila.
Members of the Supreme Court Employees Association (SCEA) attend the SCEA’s 36th Founding Anniversary and Annual General Assembly on August 11, 2023, at the Supreme Court-Court of Appeals Gymnasium in Ermita, Manila.