CJ Gesmundo Joins Asia Pacific Chief Justices Conference
November 18, 2022
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo represents the Philippines at the 18th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific, held by videoconference, on November 16 and 17, 2022.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo attended the 18th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific held virtually on November 16 and 17, 2022.
The Conference, which was hosted by the Judiciary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, served as a venue for over 35 jurisdictions in the Asia and the Pacific region to discuss various issues affecting judges and the courts.
On Day 1, the Chief Justices exchanged ideas on case management in a contemporary context, including the enhancement of the delivery of justice through technology and innovation. The magistrates also discussed how to engage with the public and handle cricisims from external stakeholders.
On Day 2, the Chief Justices weighed in on issues affecting family courts, specifically on how to minimize the strain in relations in child and family cases. They also examined issues on cross border judicial cooperation on family matters.
Judicial education was also taken up on Day 2, particularly on the interaction and cooperation between judiciaries and the essential contents of judicial education. The Chief Justices also shared best practices on ensuring the wellness of judges, including strategies on how to deal with judicial stress.
Chief Justice Gesmundo, for his part, shared the efforts done by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in relation to child and family cases, including the promulgation of the Rule on Examination of a Child Witness, which provides protective measures to ensure the safety of child victims and witnesses in court proceedings. Chief Justice Gesmundo also shared with his fellow magistrates the Philippine Supreme Court’s recent approval of the Rule on International Child Abduction Cases, an expeditious procedure to facilitate the prompt return of children, who have been wrongfully removed or retained across international boundaries, to their state or country of habitual residence based on the presumption that, save in exceptional circumstances, the wrongful removal or retention of the child is not in his/her best interest. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)