Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo spelled out before the officers, advisers and members of the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) his program to decongest court dockets and speed up the resolution of cases filed before the courts.
Gesmundo was guest of honor during Friday’s, June 18, hybrid inauguration and oathtaking ceremony of the 2020-2021 officers, members of the board of trustees, and council of advisers of PBA, the oldest organization of lawyers founded in 1891.
Aside from docket decongestion and speedy resolution of cases, the Chief Justice told the lawyers that the Supreme Court and the whole judiciary will maximize the use of technology to speed up the judicial system and further promote efficiency in court process.
Gesmundo’s plan in his five-year tenure as Chief Justice was first made known during a virtual press conference last June 11 on the celebration of the SC’s 120th anniversary.
“The Supreme Court has embarked on a case decongestion program and, toward this end, amended its Internal Rules in order to be able to comply with the constitutional mandate of two years for the resolution of cases,” he said.
“We are also in the process of amending our Rules of Criminal Procedure in the service of arrest and search warrants. Here, we are contemplating to integrate the use by the police of body worn cameras in the implementation of warrants, with due regards of course, to the rights of persons involved,” he stressed.
He cited “the use of videoconferencing in lieu of face-to-face hearings especially during this pandemic” as he underscored “the need towards a technology-driven Judiciary.”
He also said: “In harmony with the changing times, we intend to make full use of technology to promote efficiency in our processes. With the support of the other members of the Court, I plan to set up an eCourt system to enhance court workflow processes and increase virtual access to reports. This system hopes to cover the whole process, from the filing of complaints to the promulgation and execution of judgments. I am optimistic that this program will speed up the resolution of cases in courts.”
The 2020-2021 PBA officers are: Rico V. Domingo, president; Joel Raymond R. Ayson, 1st vice president; Rachelle Aileen S. Santos, 2nd vice president; Peter Irving C. Corvera, 3rd vice president; Rodolfo A. Gamboa, VP for for administration and finance; Ernestine Carmen Jo D. Villareal-Fernando, treasurer; and Ian Ray P. Malilong, secretary.
The members of the board of trustees are Mariano Jesus S. Averia, Joel Raymond R. Ayson, Chrysilla Carissa P. Bautista, Peter Irving C. Corvera, Rico V. Domingo, Ernestine C. J. D. Villareal-Fernando, Maria Teresita Geraldine C. Sison Go, Nicanor B. Jimeno, Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla, Ian Ray P. Malilong, Victor Emmanuel M. Pangilinan, Joseph Manolo R. Rebano, Angel M. Salita Jr., Rachelle Aileen S. Santos, and Fina Bernadette A. Dela Cuesta-Tantuico.
The council of advisers are Avelino J. Cruz, Jr., Rodel A. Cruz, Rolando P. De La Cuesta, Ruben O. Fruto, Llewellyn L. Llanillo, and Antonio R. Velicaria.