Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo reminded judiciary officials and employees that “justice is not merely about systems and procedures – it is first and foremost about people.”
“Justice is, after all, not only a matter of mechanically applying laws to a given set of facts – it requires passion, focus and a great sense of purpose,” Gesmundo stressed.
Thus, in his message during the Christmas celebration of the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday, Dec. 6, Gesmundo urged judiciary members to “continue to render justice to those who seek refuge from our courts.”
This year’s theme of the celebration is “HustiSaya! PaskoNek na sa Korte Suprema.”
The Chief Justice told SC officials and employees that their work “is no ordinary labor.”
“Each one of you – regardless of the capacity through which you serve the Court and the people – plays an irreplaceable role in ensuring that the wheels of justice are steadily turning,” he said.
He stressed: “Our strength lies not in the singular efforts of one person but in our collective desire to genuinely serve others. And, it is only through the unity of our purpose and action that we are able to fulfill our mandate.”
The Chief Justice also said:
“Today, we take a pause from our demanding schedules and take time to rediscover the joy of what we do and who we are, both as stewards of the rule of law and as beloved mothers, fathers, siblings and friends.
“At its core, our festivities today should call us back to one of the most profound truths in the Bible: the gift of love and light given to us by the Lord, through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.
“In turn, Christmas should also be a living invitation for us to reflect on how we also bring grace and truth into the lives of others. As we continue with our work, we are somehow, also like shepherds, who are called to care for those entrusted to us and to guide those who seek the rightful path to justice.
“Just as the birth of Christ brought hope to a weary world, so does our dedication to the rule of law bring hope to those who seek it.
“As we tirelessly fill the cups of those we serve, let us also pause to ask an important question we often neglect: How full are our own cups?
“This season, let us remind ourselves that we cannot give what we do not have. The wellspring from which we pour – our energy and our passion – must also be replenished constantly.
“Truly, genuine service can only be rendered with, and never at the expense of, taking care of our well-being.
“This Christmas season, we must once again find a balance within our busy lives: between giving and receiving, between work and rest, and between serving others and caring for our own needs.
“While our schedules nowadays demand much from us, we must remember to draw strength from the relationships and moments that bring us true happiness.
“We must find time to reconnect with the true sources of our joy – our family, faith and our community. As we strive to fulfill our duty of bringing justice to others, let us not forget to give the gift of presence to ourselves and to those we hold dear.”