Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo paid tribute to the country’s court stenographers as the judiciary’s “multi-taskers” whose “faithful recording of court proceedings is such an important phase in the administration of justice.”

“With accurate stenographic notes delivered efficiently, trial judges are able to reach fair and correct conclusions without undue delay,” Gesmundo said during the 42nd anniversary celebration of the Court Stenographers Association of the Philippines (COSTRAPHIL) held last Feb. 22 in Iloilo City.

While extolling the role of court stenographers particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, Gesmundo assured them that the Supreme Court (SC) “will strive to remain attentive and responsive to their needs.”

He recalled that court stenographers “quickly adapted to our use of new technologies and platforms like videoconference hearings at the height of the pandemic.”

“It is a call to celebrate how the judiciary did not just weather the crisis, but instead met it with grit and grace, using it as an opportunity to learn and improve its work, and as impetus to overcome the longstanding problems that have plagued our justice system,” he said.

The Chief Justice expressed the SC’s gratitude to COSTRAPHIL for its active support and participation in the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI) which is judiciary’s blueprint of action for judicial reform with target outcomes of efficiency, access, and innovation.

He said the SC is optimistic that COSTRAPHIL will continue to support SPJI’s program of reform, “including, up ahead, the development of network infrastructure for the judiciary, which will ensure network interoperability to enhance data-sharing, drive productivity, and foster better communication for organizational excellence, under the outcome of Innovation; a Judiciary-wide Organizational Review and Restructuring to streamline our administrative and adjudicative functions, towards our target outcome of Efficiency; and the Launch of Social Media Info Sites employing user-friendly language in English, Filipino, and the most commonly used dialects to provide easily digestible information on court services and how to access them, under the outcome of Access.”

Gesmundo was with Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, Deputy Court Administrator (DCA) Jenny Lind R. Aldecoa-Delorino, Assistant Court Administrator (ACA) Maria Regina Adoracion Filomena M. Ignacio, ACA Lilian C. Barribal-Co, and Executive Judge Yolanda M. Panaguiton-Gavino during the CONSTRAPHIL’s anniversary celebration in Iloilo City.

Court Administrator Villanueva, DCA Delorino, and Executive Judge Panaguiton-Gavino gave inspirational messages. COSTRAPHIL National President Cesar C. Saloma delivered the opening remarks.

Also present was Gov. Arthur R. Defensor, Jr. who also gave a message. Iloilo City Rep. Juliene L. Baronda sent a video greeting, while City Mayor Geronimo P. Treñas sent a representative who read his message.

More than 1,000 participants joined the event of COSTRAPHIL which has over 8,000 members nationwide.