Contrary to social media posts and in response to queries from journalists, the Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday night, March 15, clarified that Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo did not pursue his trip to The Hague, Netherlands set March 12 to 17.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo
Chief Justice Gesmundo decided to cancel his trip to The Hague where he would have attended the signing of the Terms of Reference with The Hague Academy of International Law (THAIL).
Last March 10, Gesmundo issued a Special Order that designated Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen as acting Chief Justice in anticipation for the former’s trip to The Hague, Netherlands.
In a statement, SC Spokesperson lawyer Camille Sue Mae L. Ting said: “However, this Special Order did not take effect as the Chief Justice decided to remain in the Philippines.”
While the SC is on recess until March 31, Chief Justice Gesmundo led the virtual deliberations on the petition that asked the SC to stop the arrest of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte.
After the deliberation the SC did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) pleaded in the petition filed by Duterte, himself, and Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa in the afternoon of March 11, the day the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) served the warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the former president.
Instead, the respondents named in the petition, led by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, were ordered by the SC to file their comment within 10 days.
Chief Justice Gesmundo also led the SC justices in the deliberation of the three habeas corpus petitions filed by Duterte’s three children who challenged the legality of the arrest, detention, and turnover to the ICC of the former president.
After deliberation, the SC decided to issue a show cause order that directed the respondents in the three petitions, also led by Executive Secretary Bersamin, to explain in 24 hours why a writ of habeas corpus should not be issued.
The respondents’ explanation to the show cause order issued by the SC is expected to be filed on Monday, March 17, by the Office of the Solicitor General, the government’s chief lawyer.
On Nov. 26, 2024, Chief Justice Gesmundo and the other SC justices were paid a courtesy call by representatives of THAIL led by their president Professor Diego P. Fernández Arroyo.
During the visit, the SC justices noted the potential for broader collaboration and partnership opportunities between THAIL and the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ).
Last February, THAIL, in partnership with the SC and the Philippine Judicial Academy (PhilJA), conducted the Advanced Courses of THAIL in the Philippines.
The two-week intensive professional training course focused on public and private international law took place at the PhilJA in Tagaytay.