Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo expressed gratitude to the contributions of the European Union (EU) in further enhancing the improvement of the justice system in the Philippines.
During an online courtesy call on Tuesday, May 18, by the officials of EU to the Philippines led by Ambassador Luc Véron, Chief Justice Gesmundo highlighted the support to the Justice Sector Coordinating Council and the establishment, operation, and capacity-building of the seven existing Justice Zones.
Gesmundo said that with the support, backlogs in courts and prosecution services have been reduced tremendously.
He told the EU officials of his judicial reform priorities. These are the development and establishment of an information and communications technology infrastructure for the judiciary, and the review and assessment of the organizational structure and operations of the various offices of the judiciary.
He then asked EU to support his reform program. In reply, Ambassador Veron gave an assurance that EU will extend its support and cooperation.
Aside from Veron, those who participated for EU in the online courtesy call were Minister Counsellor and Head of Cooperation Christoph Wagner, and Programme Manager Louise Dey.
With Gesmundo were Associate Justices Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Rodil V. Zalameda, Mario V. Lopez, Ricardo R. Rosario, and Jhosep Y. Lopez.