Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo held his first face-to-face full court session with other justices of the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, Feb. 15, since he assumed the post as head of the judiciary on April 5, 2021.

When the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic hit the country, SC justices have been conducting their full court sessions online through video conferencing.

Sessions in the three divisions have also been done online.

Those who attended the full court meeting held at the SC’s session hall where oral arguments are conducted were Senior Associate Justice Justice Estela M. Perlas Bernabe, and Associate Justices Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Rodil V. Zalameda, Mario V. Lopez, Samuel H. Gaerlan, Ricardo R. Rosario, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Japar B. Dimaampao and Jose Midas P. Marquez.

There is a vacancy in the 15-member SC with the retirement last Jan. 9 of Associate Justice Rosmari D. Carandang.

There will be another vacancy on May 14 with the retirement of Senior Associate Justice Bernabe.

Starting Wednesday, Feb. 16, at least 80 percent of all SC personnel, except in four offices – medical and dental, maintenance, security, and motorpool -- will report physically for work as the SC slowly returns to normalcy. All personnel in the four offices have to report physically.

The same 80 percent of workforce will also report physically in the offices of the Court of Appeals in Manila, and the Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals in Quezon City.

Trial courts which are located under Alert Level 2 will have 80 per cent of personnel reporting physically for work. Only 60 percent of personnel is authorized in courts under located in areas under Alert Level 3.