Trial courts have been directed to prioritize the “disturbing spike in recorded incidents of domestic violence against women and children” as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said the Supreme Court (SC) “will continue to train our judges to handle these cases with utmost sensitivity, but always with fairness and impartiality.”

Gesmundo’s directive was made known during the launch at the Manila Hotel on Thursday afternoon, March 31, of the SC’s search for women jurists who excelled in gender-based challenges they encountered in their work and even outside their offices.

Three women judges who will be selected will be honored in the award called “HerStory: Gender Award of Distinction for 2022.”

Their stories will be circularized to all judiciary members and personnel nationwide.

In his speech, Gesmundo said that trial court judges should resolve “swiftly and efficiently” cases of violence against women and children, including the pleas for temporary protection orders (TPOs), permanent protection orders (PPOs), and writ of habeas corpus.

Also, the Chief Justice said the SC will give priority to mount interventions and expedite investigation of sexual harassment cases reported in various courts and their offices.

He cited the function of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) of sexual harassment cases.

“More than its investigative function, we want to reinforce the role of the CODI in preventive intervention in our work places starting with the nuanced discussions of sexual harassments in its many forms, and the available assistance for victims...,” he said.

He pointed out: “CODI is not constituted for the persecution of any gender, but rather for the protection of all.”

The launching of the search for awardees on “HerStory: Gender Award of Distinction for 2022” coincided with the last day of the celebration of “Women’s Month.”

The search for awardees is spearheaded by the SC Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary (CGRJ) headed by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro Javier.

During the launch, “HerStory Inspirational Video” was shown. It is a study on Gender Diversity and Mobility in the Philippine Judiciary commissioned by The Asia Foundation (TAF).

The study showed how women judges have fared against male counterparts in terms of appointment to and advancement in the judicial hierarchy.

It said the study also “identified some factors that have had an impact on the (dis)proportion of gender distribution within the different court levels, highlighting the encouraging increase in diversity in trial courts, which, however, is not reflected in the collegiate courts, particularly in the Supreme Court.”

The search for awardees is also supported by TAF and the Australian AID, it added.