Chief Justice Gesmundo Extols UST Faculty of Civil Law for Resilience and Innovation on its 289th Anniversary
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo delivers the keynote address at the UST Faculty of Civil Law’s 289th founding anniversary on November 25, 2023, held at the Rizal Park Hotel in Ermita, Manila. (Courtesy of the Public information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo extolled the University of Santo Tomas’ ability to harness resilience and innovation in bringing about meaningful change throughout the centuries in his keynote address at the UST Faculty of Civil Law’s 289th founding anniversary celebration held at the Rizal Park Hotel in Ermita, Manila on November 25, 2023.
Reflecting on the rich history of the Faculty of Civil Law, Chief Justice Gesmundo noted its journey from “{f}rom adapting to and expanding on trends in education in Europe’s leading universities during the Spanish regime, to modifying the curriculum multiple times to suit changing conditions during the American regime, up to your continuing endeavor to improve the delivery of legal education in today’s modern times”, yet remaining faithful to its core principles and mission.
The Chief Justice then transitioned to the current state of the Supreme Court, highlighting the progress made in the first year of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI). He detailed several initiatives, such as the Bar Applicant Registration Information System (BARISTA) for online bar exam applications and the adoption of Philippine Judiciary 365 for modernizing workplace collaboration in lower courts.
Chief Justice Gesmundo emphasized the importance of online learning through the Philippine Judiciary Online Learning Platform and the digitization of the Benchbook for Philippine Trial Courts. He further outlined plans for transforming trial courts into digital courts through the eCourt version 2.0 software, with features like eFiling, ePayment, and Intelligent Case Monitoring.
Looking ahead, Chief Justice Gesmundo expressed the Judiciary’s commitment to continued innovation. Anticipated activities for the second year of SPJI include the development of Network Infrastructure for the Judiciary, Organizational Review and Restructuring, and the Launch of Social Media Info Sites in various languages for better public understanding.
In closing, Chief Justice Gesmundo called upon the alumni to actively support and participate in sustaining the momentum of reform in the judiciary. He urged them to be proactive partners in bringing about a revitalized and responsive justice system, fully utilizing resilience and innovation.
Chief Justice Gesmundo was joined by UST Faculty of Civil Law alumnae Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier and Acting Judicial Integrity Board Chairperson Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez (ret.).
Also present were UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo T. Divina and the UST Law Alumni Foundation, Inc. officers headed by Justice Alfredo L. Benipayo (ret.) – Chairman Emeritus, Justice Ronald B. Moreno, Justice Teresita V. Diaz- Baldos (ret.), Atty. Frankie O. Magsalin, III, DCA Thelma C. Bahia (ret.), Judge
Maria Bernardita J. Santos, Atty. Rufer Tolentino, NLRC Commissioner Mary Ann F. Plata-Daytia, Judge Josefina D. Luna-Farrales, Atty. Rolando A. Lamson, Atty. Marissa V. Manalo, Justice Monina A. Zenarosa (ret.), Justice Georgina D. Hidalgo, Atty. Maria Elena G. Francisco, Atty. Evelyn Sadsad Enriquez, Atty. Joseph C. Cerezo, Atty. Maria Elena R. Enriquez, Atty. Enrique Dela Cruz, Jr., and Commissioner Edward C. Castaneda (ret.).
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo receives a plaque of appreciation from UST Law Alumni Foundation, Inc. President, Justice Ronald B. Moreno of the Court of Appeals. Also in photo are (from left) Atty. Dwight Ramos, Atty. Joseph C. Cerezo, Commissioner Mary Ann F. Plata-Daytia, Atty. Evelyn Sadsad Enriquez, Justice Myra V. Garcia-Fernandez (ret.), Judge Maria Bernardita J. Santos, DCA Thelma C. Bahia (ret.), Justice Teresita V. Diaz-Baldos (ret.), Commissioner Edward C. Castaneda (ret.), Justice Angelina Sandoval- Gutierrez (ret.), Human Rights CommissionerJustice Monina A. Zenarosa (ret.), Atty. Frankie O. Magsalin, III, Judge Josefina D. Luna-Farrales (ret.), Atty. Marissa V. Manalo, Atty. Maria Elena G. Francisco, Atty. Rolando A. Lamson, Atty. Rufer Tolentino, and Atty. Enrique Dela Cruz, Jr. (Courtesy of the Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo shares a moment with UST LAFI Chairman Emeritus, Justice Alfredo L. Benipayo (Ret.) as Sandiganbayan Justice Teresita V. Diaz- Baldos (ret.) looks on. (Courtesy of the Public information Office)