Chief Justice Gesmundo to Newly Appointed Judges: Value One’s Integrity, Embrace Technology
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo shares the value of maintaining one’s integrity and embracing technology in the judicial profession in his message to the newly appointed judges of the first level and second level courts on November 22, 2023 at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo has reiterated the utmost importance of maintaining one’s integrity and embracing technology in the judicial profession.
Speaking before newly appointed first level and second level court judges shortly after he had sworn them into office on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Gesmundo cautioned them to be extra mindful of their actions especially during these times when social media can make or break someone’s reputation.
“Pakaingatan ninyo ang inyong mga pangalan at posisyon at pagganap sa tungkulin. Maging halimbawa kayo sa komunidad kung saan kayo maa-assign…Lahat ng kilos ninyo ay napupuna lalo na sa panahon ng social media,” stressed the Chief Justice as he reminded them of their mission to dispense justice and to observe the judicial virtues of competence, integrity, probity, and independence.
Chief Justice Gesmundo also called for their faithful adherence to the Code of Judicial Conduct, as he shared that the same is currently being reviewed. “The Court is reviewing the Code of Judicial Conduct which governs how we behave as members of the Court,” said the Chief Justice. He added that the Code needs to be more responsive to the changing times: “Kasama dyan kung paano tayo mag-social media as members of the Court…You should be able to know what you are posting—is it a personal posting or as a judge. You must be able to distinguish that.” In April this year, the Court launched the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability or CPRA, which, among others, “tackles the use of social media, formation and definition of the lawyer-client relationship, conduct of non-legal staff, among other intricacies experienced by practitioners today.”
Likewise, Chief Justice Gesmundo urged them to embrace technology in support of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), the Court’s blueprint of action for judicial reforms.
The Chief Justice emphasized that the Court “will maximize the use of technology” on its judicial reform projects. He encouraged all judges to read the SPJI, which he said, “is a work in progress,” and to give their feedback to the Court if they have ideas to further enhance the same.
He reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to protecting the judges from warrantless charges but stressed that judges would be penalized for any shortcomings or misbehavior, or any violation committed with respect to one’s Constitutional mandate.
Furthermore, he encouraged all judges to focus on adjudication and ensure that those transacting with the courts are satisfied as he reminded them that they, as frontliners, are “a reflection of the Judiciary.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo administered the oath of office to the newly appointed judges of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), the Municipal Trial Court (MTC), and the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC).
Taking their oath before the Chief Justice were second level court judges: Judge Cristina V. Astudillo (RTC, Branch 58, Bucay, Abra), Judge Allan C. Lobo (RTC, Branch 59, Lucena City, Quezon), Judge Julius Francis R. Galvez (RTC, Branch 96, Catanauan, Quezon), Judge Crystal Dei L. Embido-Buenaventura (RTC, Branch 13, Basco, Batanes), Judge Nikki Rose Dela Peña Esperanza (RTC, Branch 114, Bacoor City, Cavite), and Judge Kristine Ria N. Cirilo (RTC, Branch 161, Morong, Rizal).
The first level court magistrates who were also sworn in were Judge Vanessa L. Ilustrisimo-Fajardo (MTC, Calaca, Batangas), Judge Sharmagne Joy A. Binay (MTC, Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas), Judge Redeemer B. Faraon (MTC, Municipal Trial Court, Cuenca, Batangas), Judge Krisandra Ann D. Malaluan (MTC, Pagsanjan, Laguna), Judge Gisela Cecilia A. Mauhay-Valdez (MTC, Padre Garcia, Batangas), Judge Rizalina E. Alcazar (MTCC, Branch 2, Batangas City, Batangas), Judge Anissa P. Apolinario-Bonquin (MTCC, Branch 2, Antipolo City, Rizal), Judge Francia M. Barbosa-Bianzon (MTCC, Branch 2, Lucena City, Quezon), Judge Zenaida R. Razon-Olandesca (1st MCTC, Cuyo-Agutaya-Magsaysay-Palawan), Judge Rose Camille C. Veneracion (2nd MCTC, Lubang-Looc, Mindoro Occidental), Judge Ralph Karlo B. Barcelona (MTC, Cainta, Rizal), Judge Lynette I. Espiritu-De Ungria (MTC, Candelaria, Quezon), Judge Beverly Anne F. Quintos (MTC, Pinamalayan, Mindoro Oriental), Judge Agustin Tomas C. Tria Tirona (MTC, Bongabong, Mindoro Oriental), Judge Ryan De Leon Ferraren (MTCC, Branch 4, City of Imus, Cavite), Judge Jaime I. Cordez Jr. (MTCC, Branch 3, City of Imus, Cavite), Judge Carmela B. Nierva-Pitpit (MTCC, Branch 4, Dasmariñas City, Cavite), Judge Bryan Alphonso E. Perez (4th MCTC, Alfonso-General Aguinaldo, Cavite), Judge Z’sa May B. Subejano-Pe Lim (MTCC, Branch 4, Antipolo City, Rizal), Judge Crisalyn B. Lumanglas (MTC, Sta. Cruz, Mindoro Occidental), and Judge Sonia Philipa M. Ricablanca-Pargas (MTC, Mamburao, Mindoro Occidental).
Also appointed were Judge Antonio O. Del Val (MTC, Municipal Trial Court, Tanza, Cavite), Judge Jillian Kristin A. Deveza-Macasaet (MTCC, Branch 1, Lipa City, Batangas), Judge Rose Jennifer A. De Joya (MTCC, Branch 1, Antipolo City, Rizal), Judge Hazel Angeline Q. Abenoja (MTCC, Biñan City, Laguna), Judge Ace Victor F. Risma (4th MCTC, Tay-tay-San Vicente, Palawan), Judge Jam Tristan L. Sulit (7th MCTC, Sta. Maria-Mabitac, Laguna), Judge Ma. Jayra A. Cerapion-Tolentino (MTC, Morong, Rizal), Judge Analyn F. Banzuela (MTC, Tagkawayan, Quezon), Judge Shari-Christine San Juan Almario (1st MCTC, Luisana-Cavinti, Laguna), Judge Artemis Q. Badando (MTC, Pila, Laguna), and Judge Jose Jay E. Dela Chica (1st MCTC, San Teodoro-Baco-Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental). (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo swears in the new Regional Trial Court judges on November 22, 2023 at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo swears in the first batch of newly appointed first level court judges at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court on November 22, 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo swears in the second batch of newly appointed first level court judges at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court on November 22, 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)