Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo
MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Tuesday said the year 2024 is a “period of profound growth and transformation” for the judiciary.
Gesmundo attributed the growth and transformation to the support that the judiciary has been receiving.
“I am proud to say that your hard work and dedication have been integral to the success of our initiatives, and we have made great progress because of your unwavering support,” Gesmundo said.
“As we move forward, let us continue to embrace the ongoing reforms with the same dedication and determination that have defined our journey thus far,” he added.
The Supreme Court has set out a Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI), a collective effort from current and past justices that started in 2022 and is targeted to be finished by 2027.
In 2024, the Supreme Court disposed of 4,294 cases with a clearance rate of 87 percent and a disposition rate of 22 percent.
Gesmundo said the target reforms “have not only been about improving processes and revising procedures; they have also been about strengthening the very foundations of justice-ensuring that our judicial system serves the people with fairness, efficiency, and integrity; providing equal access to all, regardless of background or circumstances; and leveraging technology to equip the judiciary in meeting the demands of a rapidly-evolving world.”
READ: SC making tech work for more accessible, inclusive justice
The innovation includes the e-court system that would benefit litigants and judicial personnel. Also part of SPJI is making a cornerstone of its initiatives the health and welfare of its personnel.
READ: Making the Supreme Court of the Philippines an ideal institution to work for
Despite difficulties encountered, Gesmundo said they “have made significant strides towards our goal of building a more efficient, responsive, and forward-looking judiciary.”
In welcoming 2025, Gesmundo said, “Let us continue to embrace the ongoing reforms with the same dedication and determination that have defined our journey thus far.”