Chief Justice Gesmundo Issues Call to Judges to be Active Agents of Reform
October 21, 2022
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo called on judges to be the “force multipliers” of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovation 2022-2027 (SPJI), to help get the Supreme Court’s message across, and to be active agents of reform.
The call was issued by the Chief Justice in his keynote address on the second day of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) Midterm Convention and Seminar on October 20, 2022 at the Shangri-La, The Fort, BGC, Taguig City. The event, with the theme “PJA: Forging Ties for Humanity and Peace” was the PJA’s first face-to-face convention in two years.
The Chief Justice was joined by Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva.
“As a concrete step towards this direction, I urge the PJA to join the Court and the rest of the Judiciary as we work for reforms through innovation”, said the Chief Justice, referring to the SPJI, the long-term reform program formally launched by the Supreme Court last October 14, 2022.
The Chief Justice underscored the role of the judges in the success of the SPJI, describing the program as “our blueprint for action in the next five years” with an emphasis on ‘our’ “because you are all participants in implementing the SPJI.”
He added that without the support of the judges, “reforms will not last; they will not even take root. Our aim, then, is to raise awareness about our vision and strategies among the Judiciary, and to convert as many stakeholders as we can—turning them from acquiescent observers and passive beneficiaries into invested and proactive participants.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo also noted that attempts at judicial reform have proven that the work does not end in changing tools and processes, but can be sustained only if coupled with a “change in mindset, in attitude, in perspective of our people: our judges, our officials, our personnel, and our court users.”
The Chief Justice said that having gone around the country with the Associate Justices sharing their vision for reform, they have observed some push-back and apprehension “from those whom the words reorganization, digitization, and automation come across as euphemisms for downsizing and layoffs, and how this mindset strikes fear and harbors resistance”.
Allaying these fears, Chief Justice Gesmundo stressed: “When we talk of pushing the entire Judiciary forward through innovation, we mean exactly that—to propel the Judiciary, in its entirety, with everyone in tow, and no one left behind”.
“With the pandemic hopefully nearing its end, your theme for this year’s convention – ‘PJA: Forging Ties for Humanity and Peace’ – points to the task we must now take on as we look to rebuild and recover”, the Chief Justice added. “As frontliners of the judiciary, you have so much to contribute to the attainment of this noble aspiration.”
“Indeed, through your decisions, your actions, and your example, you have the power to foster them from our courtrooms, and to grow them beyond our halls,” underscored the Chief Justice.
Chief Justice Gesmundo concluded his remarks by expressing his hope that the gathering would strengthen the bond between the PJA’s members and “help chart a clear course forward for our Second Level Courts, especially now as the judiciary strives to reform and innovate.”
Welcoming the Chief Justice’s call are the PJA’s Officers led by PJA President Danilo S. Cruz; Executive Vice-President Byron G. San Pedro; Senior Vice-President Acerey C. Pacheco; Vice-Presidents Gener M. Gito, Maria Paz R. Reyes-Yson, Caridad V. Galvez, Ma. Theresa E. De Guzman-Alvarez, Pablo C. Formaran III, Lily Lydia A. Laquindanum, and Mia Joy O. Oallares-Cawed; Secretary-General Elisa R. Sarmiento-Flores; Treasurer Hannah Cynara L. Cayton; Auditor Mary Jane B. Dacara-Buenaventura; Public Relations Officer Pia Cristina B. Bersamin-Embuscado; and Business Manager Tarcelo A. Sabarre, Jr. ###
