Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo during operning of SC's 2023 Sportsfest

Enhanced physical and mental health of court officials and employees will eventually lead to improved quality of judicial service, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said.

Chief Justice Gesmundo led the opening of the Supreme Court’s (SC) Sportsfest 2023 last Wednesday, Aug. 23 at the SC-Court of Appeals (CA) gymnasium in Manila.

In his message to more than 1,000 participants, Gesmundo said that one of the objectives of the five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) is “to address the needs and welfare of its internal stakeholders so they can perform their duties in the delivery of justice effectively.”

He said the SPJI’s objective “seeks a more inclusive and more responsive Judiciary Health and Welfare Program for all court officials and employees covering their physical, mental, and social well-being.”

He then reminded the participants: “This sportsfest is not so much a test of strength but of character, not so much a show of individual effort but of teamwork, and not so much for competition but for cooperation.”

“We are here to make winners of all. In the end, we are one Supreme Court, and our goal is to move as one towards our dream of a better and more responsive judiciary,” he stressed.

At the same time, Chief Justice Gesmundo cited the importance of the yearly sports competition in line with the ongoing top-to-bottom reforms being implemented by the SC.

“While the demands of such reforms can take a toll on the employees’ physical and mental well-being, the Court hopes initiatives such as the Sportsfest can help recharge and reinvigorate us as we persevere in our work amidst all the challenges ahead,” he said.

The 2023 Sportsfest is the first event being held by the SC since the Covid-19 pandemic.  Competitions in badminton, basketball, billiards, bowling, chess, dama, darts, and volleyball are scheduled after office hours and will run until end of November.

The sports committee is headed by Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva as chairperson; Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas as vice chairperson, with Atty. Maria Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan, Atty. Antonio Caesar R. Manila, Atty. Joevanni A. Villanueva, Erwin Ocson, Atty. Rene B. Enciso, and Ivy B. Silva as members, and Atty. Voltere Edmark O. Arcol and Atty. Paola Margarita V. Pion as committee secretariat.