July 1, 2022
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo today joined the Sandiganbayan Justices and employees in celebrating the 44th Anniversary of the anti-graft court through a hybrid event.
Speaking as guest of honor, Chief Justice Gesmundo took the time to urge the Sandiganbayan, which had been his “home” for 12 years, to be one with the entire Judiciary in adapting technological advancements as the courts continue to swiftly and efficiently dispense justice to all.
Chief Justice Gesmundo, who served as an Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan from 2005 to 2017, waxed nostalgic and expressed his gratitude to the Sandiganbayan officials and employees following the video tribute prepared by the latter chronicling the rise of his legal and judicial career. The highlights of the video were his appointment as the 27th Chief Justice of the Philippines in 2021 and the technology-driven endeavors that he and the other Members of the Court are pursuing.
“Maraming salamat sa inyong mainit at malugod na pagtanggap. Nagagalak akong Makita na naririto ang ilang mga kaibigan at pati na rin ang ilang mga bagong kasamahan, hudyat ng tuloy tuloy na paglaki ng pamilya ng Sandiganbayan,” said Chief Justice as he joined them through videoconferencing.
The Chief Justice, who also spoke on the Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022-2027, challenged the anti-graft court to keep up with the times and embrace technology.
Chief Justice Gesmundo reiterated his Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022-2027. The SPJI is a plan guided by an Innovation
Agenda to review and assess the organizational structure and operations of the various offices of the Judiciary, and to develop and establish an information and communication technology infrastructure for the Philippine Judiciary. It is founded on four guiding principles: 1) Timely and Fair Justice, 2) Transparent and Accountable Justice, 3) Equal and Inclusive Justice, and 4) Technologically Adaptive Management.
The Chief Justice said that these principles will help the Judiciary in achieving three outcomes: Efficiency, Innovation, and Access.
“Kaantabay sa Bagong Bukas, handa ba ang Sandiganbayan na iangat ang morale ng bawa’t opisyal at empleyado sa pagbabago? Handa ba ang Sandiganbayan sa pagtahak ng makabagong teknolohiya? Handa ba ang Sandiganbayan na patibayin ang prinsipyo ng Katapatan, Kapananagutan, at Karangalan na siyang tanging pundasyon ng ating public trust?” said the Chief Justice who joined them via videoconferencing.
He vowed that the entire Judiciary will advance together, but further challenged the Sandiganbayan to come up with concrete and prompt action in doing such. “Walang mas malaking pagpupugay sa panghukuman kung hindi ang ipagpatuloy ang pagbabadya ng pagbabago,” he stressed.
The Chief Justice emphasized that through the use of technology, the Judiciary is gearing up not only for this pandemic but also for the future. He stressed: “We are making use of technological advancements to make sure that, regardless of the situation, the Court can continue with its duty of dispensing justice to all, swiftly and efficiently.”
“Aasa ako na ang pagbabago ay sisibol na sa Sandiganbayan. Simulan na natin, ngayon na! Para sa Bayan. Para sa Tao. Para sa Ating Lahat,” concluded the Chief Justice.
The theme of the Sandiganbayan’s 44th anniversary is “Tagni-tagning pag-asa nahabi sa panahon ng pandemya- tatag, tibay at lakas- Sandiganbayan sa magandang bukas!” Chief Justice Gesmundo was introduced by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang, who was with her fellow Justices, Sandiganbayan court officials and personnel at the Sandiganbayan Multipurpose Hall. Other participants joined the event through video conferencing. ###