Chief Justice Gesmundo Leads the SC in Promoting Health and Well-Being of Court Employees
August 24, 2023
Consistent with the Supreme Court’s efforts to improve the quality of judicial service by protecting the well-being of court personnel, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo yesterday led one of the Court’s initiatives to promote better physical health among its employees at the opening ceremonies of the Supreme Court Sportsfest 2023, held at the Supreme Court-Court of Appeals Gymnasium in Manila.
One of the objectives of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, the Court’s blueprint for judicial reform, is to address the needs and welfare of its internal stakeholders so they can perform their duties in the delivery of justice effectively. Under this objective, the Court seeks a more inclusive and more responsive Judiciary Health and Welfare Program for all court officials and employees covering their physical, mental, and social well-being.
In his brief message to the over 1,000 participating employees, the Chief Justice reminded the Court personnel “that this Sportsfest is not so much a test of strength but of character, not so much a show of individual effort but of teamwork, and not so much for competition but for cooperation.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo added: “We are here to make winners of all. In the end, we are one Supreme Court, and our goal is to move as one towards our dream of a better and more responsive judiciary.”
The Chief Justice further stressed the timeliness of the Sportsfest given the ongoing top-to-bottom reforms being implemented by the Court with the ultimate goal of streamlining and recalibrating court processes. While the demands of such reforms can take a toll on the employees’ physical and mental well-being, the Court hopes initiatives such as the Sportsfest can help “recharge and reinvigorate us as we persevere in our work amidst all the challenges ahead.”
To cap the Opening Ceremony, Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Atty. Maria Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan administered the Athletes’ Oath to the participating Supreme Court personnel.
Chief Justice Gesmundo and Atty. Cunanan were joined by Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, other Court officials, and the members of the Supreme Court Sports Committee. The Committee is headed by Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva as Chairperson and Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas as Vice Chairperson, with Atty. Matammu-Cunanan, Atty. Antonio Caesar R. Manila, Atty. Joevanni A. Villanueva, Mr. Erwin Ocson, Atty. Rene B. Enciso, and Ms. Ivy B. Silva as members, and Atty. Voltere Edmark O. Arcol and Atty. Paola Margarita V. Pion as committee secretariat.
Held annually, the Sportsfest this year is the first to be held by the Court since the pandemic. The Sportsfest 2023 includes several events: badminton, basketball, billiards, bowling, chess, dama, darts, and volleyball.
The games are scheduled after office hours and will run until the end of November 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Participating Supreme Court employees wearing sports jerseys representing their respective sport events—badminton, basketball, billiards, bowling, chess, dama, darts, and volleyball—fill up the Supreme Court-Court of Appeals Gymnasium at the opening ceremonies of the Supreme Court Sportsfest 2023 on August 23, 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Atty. Maria Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan, administers the Athletes’ Oath to hundreds of Supreme Court employees donning their respective sports jerseys during the opening ceremonies of the Supreme Court Sportsfest 2023 on August 23, 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)