Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo will bow out of office at the end of the week upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
The 27th head magistrate of the high tribunal is leaving a legacy of high-impact reforms in modernizing the judiciary since his appointment as associate justice in 2017 and as chief justice in 2021.
In a statement on Wednesday, Associate Justice Midas Marquez said that during this time, Gesmundo guided the court through the upheavals brought by a global pandemic and developments in technology.
“We express our deepest gratitude to Chief Justice Alex for his transformative leadership, unwavering commitment to innovation, and inspiring dedication to serving the Filipino people with compassion and excellence,” Marquez said of Gesmundo’s legacy in the SC.
Under Gesmundo’s watch, a world growing more reliant on artificial intelligence and the phenomenon of the pseudo-journalist blogger and influencers are both an unavoidable gift and curse on modern society.
The magistrate has reiterated the need to professionalize journalism, stressing the need for trained media practitioners to live by ethical standards and accountability, which he said are indispensable to provide true and reliable news that influences public opinion.
Gesmundo’s commitment to upholding ethical standards in the legal profession has also inspired practitioners.
“CJ Alex Gesmundo’s term can be described as having a strong emphasis on institutional reforms, modernization, and inter-agency cooperation. The court’s digitalization of processes and procedures reflects his vision of a modern judiciary,” private lawyer Raymund Marcelino said.
He added that the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability highlights his court’s prioritization of establishing ethical foundations of accountability and service.
Marcelino said the Unified Legal Aid Service is a testament of Gesmundo’s commitment to providing access to justice through competent legal service.
“CJ Gesmundo showcases ideals of service, sacrifice, and excellence during his stint as Chief of the Supreme Court,” he added. (PNA)
