Chief Justice Gesmundo Makes Good on Hometown Promise with Groundbreaking of New San Pablo City HOJ
March 20, 2023
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, together with retired Chief Justice and now Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, San Pablo City Mayor Vicente B. Amante, and Laguna 3rd District Representative Loreto S. Amante, lead the groundbreaking ceremonies for the planned Hall of Justice of San Pablo City, Laguna located in Barangay San Gregorio on March 16, 2023. Joining them are Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, and Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
“Amidst our seven lakes will rise the new San Pablo Hall of Justice Building, which will be a modern structure housing both first and second level courts in San Pablo City. It will be a testament to the hard work and dedication you, our Judges and court personnel have shown, and it will be a monument of our commitment to provide greater efficiency and better service to our townmates. Most importantly, this building will be a place of solace and comfort to all those who will seek redress through our judicial system.”
Thus said Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, as he led the groundbreaking ceremonies for the planned Hall of Justice of San Pablo City, Laguna in Barangay San Gregorio on March 16, 2023.
The groundbreaking was followed by the formal turn-over of the land title at the San Pablo City Multi-Purpose and Convention Center in Barangay San Jose.
“We broke ground for the new San Pablo Hall of Justice Building and on this occasion, we have formally received the title to the segregated 1.5 hectare property…now in the name of the Supreme Court,” said the Chief Justice who is a native of San Pablo City, Laguna
The Chief Justice expressed his gratitude to all those who helped make this hometown promise closer to fruition: “I thank the Local Government of San Pablo, in particular former Mayor, now Congressman, Loreto Amante, for the donation of this property in Barangay San Gregorio to the Supreme Court, and to his father, Mayor Biteng (Vicente B. Amante) for making today’s occasion, the turnover of the land title to the Supreme Court, possible. I also would like to thank retired Supreme Court Chief Justice and now Executive Secretary, Lucas P. Bersamin, my honorary townmate.”
In the same event, Chief Justice Gesmundo was bestowed the Gawad Maharlika ng Lungsod ng San Pablo by Mayor Amante, the highest distinction given a San Pableño for giving honor and prestige to the city.
The Chief Justice also took the occasion to discuss the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), the institutional blueprint for judicial reforms comprising ideas, aspirations, plans and proposals of the Supreme Court En Banc for the pursuit of one overarching goal: the delivery of responsive and real-time justice. He even invited guests to scan the QR code displayed at the venue’s entrance to access a copy of the SPJI.
He rallied everyone to become partners in the implementation of these reforms emphasizing that without their active involvement and participation, the reforms the Court are pushing for will not take root. “Whether or not the SPJI prospers, whether or not we will be able to deliver justice real-time to our people—all these now depend, in large part, on you. May the new building that will stand here witness your tireless efforts in faithfully pursuing the plans and vision of your Supreme Court.”
Also present were Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, Assistant Court Administrator and Public Information Office Chief Brian Keith F. Hosaka, Deputy Clerk of Court and Judicial Reform Program Administrator Laura C.H. del Rosario, and Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Technology Officer Jed Sherwin G. Uy. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)