While the Supreme Court (SC) assured it “will protect judges from warrantless charges,” it stressed it “will not let go of any shortcomings or misbehavior, or any violation committed by judges with respect to our constitutional mandate.”
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said “any violation (by judges) of our administrative canons for judicial ethics will merit proceedings, and appropriate sanctions will be meted out by the Court.”
Gesmundo pointed out that the SC “has to make this balance to improve the public’s perception of the Judiciary.”
He also said: “What we are trying to say now is that we have to shift our mindset of how the people look at the Judiciary. In fact, not only the Judiciary, but the entire legal profession is part of that call to try to improve or innovate.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo, Senior Justices Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, and Justices Amy C. Lazaro Javier, and Rodil V. Zalameda led the inauguration of the New Hall of Justice of Makati City last Wednesday, Oct. 5.
They were joined by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Vice Executive Judge Hon. Cristina F. Javalera-Sulit, Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) Executive Judge Ma. Concepcion Billiones, MeTC Vice Executive Judge Ma. Lourdes V. Barrios-Sapalo, RTC Clerk of Court Atty. Maria Corazon Cecilia H. Pineda, Makati City Judges Association, Inc. Vice President Maricris B. Pahate-Felix, Treasurer Veronica B. Tongio-Igot, and Makati City Vice Mayor Monique Quirino Lagdameo.
In a press statement, the SC’s public information office (PIO) said that Gesmundo told the judges that while the High Court is yet to give the Makati City judges “a permanent home, it is delighted in being able to provide, in the interim, the New Hall of Justice building and hopes that this new structure will be sufficient to serve their needs for the time being.”
The PIO said that Gesmundo reminded the judges: “Justice is not measured by the pillars or the beautiful buildings, the kind of service that we provide to our people. How we administer justice is the reflection of our judicial system. Let us do our best.”
TAGS: #SC #CJ GESMUNDO