SC Launches Bench Book for Commercial Courts
April 28, 2022
Responding to the need of judges of Special Commercial Courts (SCCs) for a complete resource material on cases under their jurisdiction, the Supreme Court on Thursday launched the Bench Book for Commercial Courts at the En Banc Session Hall.
During his keynote address, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said that the creation of the Bench Book “reflects the Supreme Court’s thrust to improve the efficiency of SCC [Special Commercial Court] judges by providing them with a reference containing updated information on various commercial laws, relevant jurisprudence, procedural rules, and other related court issuances.”
Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, Chairperson of the Supreme Court Sub-Committee on Commercial Courts, led the launch of the Bench Book and presented it to the Supreme Court.
The Bench Book, which was completed in only three months, is a project of the Sub-Committee in partnership with the United States Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (US DOJ OPDAT). It has 17 Chapters, including chapters on Cases Cognizable by Commercial Courts, Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act, Intellectual Property, and Intra Corporate Controversies, among others.
“I am confident that this Bench Book, the fruit of all your concerted efforts, will serve as an effective guide for judges and Justices for many years to come,” Chief Justice Gesmundo said.
Court of Tax Appeals Associate Justice Maria Rowena Modesto-San Pedro, Chairperson of the Technical Working Group of the Bench Book for Commercial Courts, gave a background and overview of the publication. Resident Legal Adviser Mr. Don Calvert also delivered a message in behalf of the US DOJ-OPDAT.
Present during the launch were Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) Chancellor Justice Rosmari D. Carandang (Ret.), PHILJA Vice-Chancellor Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo (Ret.), Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Remedios Salazar Fernando, PHILJA Executive Secretary Justice Ma. Luisa Quijano-Padilla (Ret.), PHILJA Office for Administration Chief Atty. Elmer DG Eleria, and PHILJA Commercial Law Department Chair Atty. Francis Ed Lim.
Also in attendance at the Session Hall were Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, Deputy Court Administrator Jenny Lind R. Aldecoa-Delorino, Assistant Court Administrator Maria Regina A.F.M. Ignacio, and Acting SC Senior Chief Staff Officer Atty. Joyce Jazmin G. Dimaisip-Cunanan. The launch was hosted by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Marikina Judge Romeo D. Tagra and RTC Manila Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa. (Courtesy of the SC-Public Information Office)