CHIEF Justice Alexander Gesmundo said that reforms will strengthen judicial independence, improve court efficiency and expand public access to justice, as the Supreme Court marks its 125th anniversary.
”The enduring value of an institution is reflected not only in the legacy it inherits, but also in its capacity for renewal,” Gesmundo said, speaking before members of the Manila Overseas Press Club during the annual Judiciary Night in Makati City on Friday.He added that institutional reforms will be implemented under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 to make courts more efficient, accessible and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people.
Gesmundo said that the judiciary has strengthened accountability by adopting the Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability, and the Code of Conduct and Accountability for Court Officials and Employees.
He noted that public confidence depends not only on judges’ decisions but also on the professionalism and ethical conduct of all court personnel.
Gesmundo said the enactment of Republic Act 12233, or the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act of 2025, is a landmark measure that reinforces judicial independence by ensuring the resources needed for courts to carry out their mandate.
He praised the creation of the Office of the Regional Court Manager, which strengthens administrative support for trial courts, and the Office of the Judicial Marshals, which enhances the security for court personnel.
Gesmundo commended the judiciary’s digital initiatives, including eCourt PH 2.0, electronic filing and records management, and Scriptix, an artificial intelligence-assisted transcription software that reduces the preparation of court transcripts from weeks to days.
He noted that the Rules on Electronic Notarization will soon allow digital documents to be notarized electronically anywhere in the country, while the Philippine Reports E-Books on the Supreme Court E-Library will provide wider public access to the Court’s decisions.
”Technology, however, is not the destination. It is a means to serve a greater purpose,” Gesmundo said.
He commended initiatives aimed at improving access to justice, including the Rules on Unified Legal Aid Services for indigent Filipinos.
As his term as chief justice nears its end, Gesmundo said the judiciary’s strength lies not in any one individual but in the collective commitment of judges, court personnel, lawyers, government partners, civil society, academe, the media and private citizens.
”The judiciary does not belong to any one person, administration or generation. It belongs to the Constitution and, ultimately, to the Filipino people whom it serves,” he said.
