The Supreme Court (SC) held its flag-raising ceremony on Monday, Feb. 21, the first since the appointment of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo as head of the judiciary on April 5, 2021.
Flag-raising ceremonies at the SC had been cancelled several times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic almost two years ago. In April 2021, flag raising ceremonies were cancelled totally.
Due to the pandemic, the SC revised the working operations in all courts in the country. In several instances, many courts were physically closed or were maintained only by skeleton force.
Also, courts resorted to hearings via video conferencing so as not to delay resolution of cases, particularly those involving bail petitions, violence against women and children, human trafficking, and promulgation of decisions resulting in acquittal of the accused.
Despite the somewhat eased COVID-19 situation, Chief Justice Gesmundo appealed to all court officials and personnel nationwide to adhere strictly to health protocols mandated by the government.
Aside from Chief Justice Gesmundo, the other justices who attended the flag-raising ceremony were Senior Associate 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 as a result of the mandatory retirement of Associate Justice Rosmari D. Carandang last Jan. 9.