Supreme Court Baguio Summer Session Begins
April 02, 2024
(From left) Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, Justice Mario V. Lopez, Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr. lead the flag-raising activity today, April 2, 2024, at the Supreme Court Baguio Compound, Baguio City to mark the beginning of the SC Baguio Summer Session, which will last until the third week of April. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
The Supreme Court officially marked the beginning of its Baguio Summer Session with a flag-raising activity at the SC Baguio Compound, Baguio City today. The SC Baguio Summer Session will last until the third week of April.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, Justice Mario V. Lopez, Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr. were present during the flag-raising activity.
The Chief Justice and the Members of the Court also unveiled the marker at the Supreme Court of the Philippines Signage at the SC Baguio Compound.
Justice Rosario, Justice Jhosep Lopez, and Justice Dimaampao delivered the welcome messages.
Justice Rosario said keeping up with the yearly tradition to hold office in Baguio City during Summer is also “keeping up with the tradition of the Court to deliberate cases and resolve urgent incidents in Baguio.” He said, “By recognizing and preserving the value of our past traditions while embracing new approaches and the Court’s push for reform and innovation, the Court remains steadfast in fulfilling our promise of delivering speedy and equal justice for all, maintaining impartiality, ensuring people’s genuine access to courts and proceedings which nurture respect and inclusivity.”
Justice Lopez expressed his gratitude to the Chief Justice and the other Members of the Court for all their support to everyone in the Judiciary who are in need of assistance. He said, “Truly, this is a united court not only in the work we do under the leadership of the Chief Justice, but unity shown also in times of sickness. Everybody can depend on the whole court to come to your rescue and assistance.”
Justice Dimaampao for his part emphasized the enduring commitment of the judiciary to serve the public interest and underscored the solemn responsibility of dispensing justice fairly and equitably, regardless of one’s social or economic status. He also reiterated the Court’s unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all, highlighting recent judicial reforms such as the launch of the “Remote hearing and equal access to law and justice” (REAL JUSTICE) initiative in Tawi-Tawi, where for the first time in history, a sitting Chief Justice visited for the first time the far-flung remote province and municipality in the Island of Mindanao. Justice Dimaampao expressed gratitude to his esteemed colleagues for their visionary leadership in spearheading these transformative reforms. “On behalf of the Bangsamoro people, I heartily extend our enormous thanks to Chief Justice Gesmundo, SAJ Leonen, and my esteemed colleagues for such epochal inclusivity and solicitude,” Justice Dimaampao stated.
To close, Justice Dimaampao reflected on the importance of humility and collegiality, emphasizing the value of dissenting opinions and diverse perspectives in shaping judicial decisions. As a Muslim Magistrate, he expressed his commitment to continuously uphold the Quranic injunction ordained in Chapter 25, Verse 63 of the Holy Qur’an, which states, “True believers of God, the Most Compassionate, are those who walk on earth in humility,” a poignant reminder of the humility and selflessness required in the pursuit of justice. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Justice Ricardo R. Rosario says keeping up with the yearly tradition to hold office in Baguio City during Summer is also “keeping up with the tradition of the Court to deliberate cases and resolve urgent incidents in Baguio” in his welcome remarks during the flag-raising activity today, April 2, 2024, at the Supreme Court Baguio Compound, Baguio City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez expresses his gratitude to the Chief Justice and the other Members of the Court for all their support to everyone in the Judiciary in his welcome remarks during the flag-raising activity today, April 2, 2024, at the Supreme Court Baguio Compound, Baguio City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Justice Japar B. Dimaampao says he is “optimistic that this year’s summer session will be fruitful, enriching and productive” in his welcome remarks during the flag-raising activity today, April 2, 2024, at the Supreme Court Baguio Compound, Baguio City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen lead the unveiling of the marker at the Supreme Court of the Philippines Signage at the SC Baguio Compound in Baguio City on April 2, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, and other Members of the Court pose for posterity after the unveiling of the marker at the Supreme Court of the Philippines Signage at the SC Baguio Compound in Baguio City on April 2, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)