SC Extols JIB on its 3rd Founding Anniversary, Recognizes its Contribution in Cleansing Judicial Ranks
October 19, 2023
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, speaking on behalf of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo at JIB’s 3rd Founding Anniversary at the Court of Appeals auditorium today, said that the Judiciary “must uphold transparency and accountability to inspire public confidence and trust.” (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
The Supreme Court extolled the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) as it recognized the JIB’s critical role in the pursuit of transparent and accountable justice.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo at JIB’s 3rd Founding Anniversary held at the Court of Appeals auditorium this morning, Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez said that the Judiciary “must uphold transparency and accountability to inspire public confidence and trust.”
Through Justice Marquez, Chief Justice Gesmundo said that the creation of the JIB as the institution which helps ensure that judicial officers and court employees perform their duties within the bounds of law and strictly in accordance with our established codes of conduct “demonstrated and solidified the Court’s firm resolve to cleanse its ranks.”
The Supreme Court has pushed for the strengthening of the JIB as one of the major activities under the Efficiency outcome of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI).
Chief Justice Gesmundo said that to enhance the capacity and processes of the JIB, particularly in encouraging and receiving complaints from the public, and in acting on these complaints in a judicious, effective and transparent manner, the Court will implement two measures: first of which is the undertaking of an organizational assessment and diagnostic process mapping, and analysis of structure, functions, processes, capacity and management of the JIB, including its relationships with other relevant judiciary offices such as the Office of the Court Administrator and the constitution of the Judiciary Marshals Office; and second, providing a set of recommendations as to how the JIB can address gaps and challenges, and improve its performance and operations relative to its mandate.
The Chief Justice emphasized that “judicial accountability is vital to the preservation of the rule of law and to the effectiveness of the justice system.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo reiterated that justices and judges should always live up to the four standards mandated by the Constitution: integrity, competence, probity, and independence. He added that these standards apply equally to every official and employee of the Judiciary, regardless of rank, salary grade, educational attainment, and gender. Furthermore, he said that checking compliance with these standards has been the JIB’s unenviable task.
“We truly appreciate and commend the JIB for taking on this heavy burden. Yours is the responsibility of keeping co-workers in the judiciary grounded and secured in our ethical moorings. And, as dispensers of “justice” in cases involving our own co-workers within the judicial system, you cannot be more aware that so much is expected of you,” said Chief Justice Gesmundo.
“Indeed, yours is the reflection of the justice that we dispense, and if we cannot impose that justice within our own, we lose our moral authority to dispense it for others. The Court thus counts on your honesty, dedication, and competence in carrying out your responsibilities. In you will eventually fall our people’s reliance and faith in our courts and our institution,” he added.
Retired Court of Tax Appeals Associate Justice Cielito N. Mindaro-Grulla, JIB Third Regular Member, delivered the welcome remarks while retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, Acting Chairperson of the JIB, gave the closing remarks.
Audio visual presentations that paid tribute to the late JIB Chairperson, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Romeo J. Callejo, Sr. and showcased the JIB in the past three years were featured in the anniversary program.
Also present were Court of Appeals Justice Sesinando Villon (Ret.) and Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Rodolfo Ponferrada (Ret.), JIB First and Second Regular Members, respectively; other JIB officials; and the wife and daughter of Justice Callejo, Ma. Filipinas V. Callejo and Geraldine Callejo Geday.
Created in 2018 and formally organized in 2020, the JIB acts on complaints against erring justices, judges, officers, and employees of the Judiciary.
The JIB receives administrative complaints or disciplinary actions against either the Presiding Justices and Associate Justices of the appellate courts and Judges of the lower courts, as well as act on complaints or referrals as provided for in Rule 140 of the Rules of Court, the “Internal Rules” of the JIB as approved by the SC En Banc, as well as the SC Circulars, Administrative Orders or other issuances. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) Acting Chairperson (Ret.) Justice Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez gives the Closing Remarks during the 3rd Founding Anniversary of JIB. She encouraged the JIB to “be more steadfast in fulfilling its mandate.” (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez poses for posterity with Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) Acting Chairperson, (Ret.) Justice Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez (right of Justice Midas); JIB First Regular Member (Ret.) Justice Sesinando Villon (left of Justice Midas); JIB Third Regular Member (Ret). Justice Cielito N. Mindaro-Grulla (extreme left). Also in photo are Ma. Filipinas V. Callejo (second from right) and Geraldine Callejo Geday (extreme right), the wife and daughter of the late JIB Chairperson Romeo J. Callejo, Sr. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
