The Supreme Court (SC) will celebrate its 125th anniversary tomorrow, June 11, with a whole-day activities starting at 9 a.m.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo will lead the celebration that will start with a mass at the SC’s quadrangle on Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila.

President Marcos had earlier declared the month of June every year as “Judiciary Month” to highlight the role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law and ensuring the effective administration of justice.

Through Presidential Proclamation No. 1265, the President underscored the need “to further strengthen public awareness and appreciation of the Judiciary as a pillar of democratic governance by providing a longer period for the conduct of programs and activities that promote judicial integrity, independence, accountability, and efficiency.”

The SC was established on June 11, 1902 through Act No. 136 of the Philippine Commission with Cayetano L. Arellano as first Chief Justice.

Incumbent Chief Justice Gesmundo is the 27th head of the judiciary. Associate Justice Raul B. Villanueva is the latest appointee at the SC as the 195th associate justice.

After the mass, Chief Justice Gesmundo will give his anniversary message to all judiciary officials and personnel.

Several activities will follow thereafter like the awarding ceremony of the AI Hackathon 2026: Building Today for the Future, and presentation of previous anniversary celebrations.

Judiciary officials, personnel, and guests will be entertained by the REO Brothers, a Filipino rock band composed of five brothers from Tacloban City.

The year-long anniversary celebration under the theme “SC: 125 Years of Tradition and Innovation” started last January with a special en banc (full court) session on Jan. 14, 2026 at the Ayuntamiento de Manila, where the SC once held its offices until World War II.

The SC’s Office of the Spokesperson headed by lawyer Camille Sue Mae L. Ting said an exhibit highlighting the SC’s history was also displayed at the Ayuntamiento and at the SC main lobby on Padre Faura Street.

Ting said that last January 21, the SC launched the Grand Judiciary Tour that offers monthly public tours which provide an immersive look into the judiciary’s 125-year history. The tour includes key locations in Intramuros, where the SC was first set up, as well as other historically significant sites linked to its legacy.

Last February, the SC opened a nationwide photo contest for both professional and amateur photographers with the theme “Accessible and Inclusive Justice.”

The competition invited participants to capture “real-life stories of struggle, hope, resilience, and the everyday pursuit of fairness.” The contest drew over 2,500 entries.

Also, last February, a poster-making contest for children aged 15 and below was launched with the theme “Imagine a Just World.” The contest encouraged young artists “to interpret the role of the judiciary through art, fostering civic awareness and appreciation of the rule of law.” About 400 entries were submitted.

Last March 22, the SC held its first nationwide Judiciary Fun Run, conducted simultaneously across multiple judicial regions and attended by more than 7,000 judiciary officials and employees.

The SC launched its commemorative Beep Cards and opened a Gift Shop at its main building last June 4.

Beep Cards are widely used for electronic payments in public transportation systems, including Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

Spokesperson Ting said the Beep Cards, in partnership with AF Payment, Incorporated (AFPI), has transformed a “familiar item into a small piece of history—one that commemorates 125 years of the Supreme Court’s service to the Filipino people.”

The Gift Shop is located at the SC’s main lobby. It offers a curated selection of souvenirs, stationery, and commemorative items that reflect the identity and heritage of the Philippine Judiciary.

Ting said: “More than merchandise, these are keepsakes that allow visitors, employees, and supporters of the Judiciary to take home a small reminder of this historic milestone.”

Last June 5, the SC’s building on Padre Faura Street was declared by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as an “Important Cultural Property” and is protected and preserved for its historical significance to the country.

Aside from a historical marker, also unveiled was a commemorative plaque that marked the celebration of the SC’s 125th anniversary.

The SC said that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will also present commemorative coins and bank notes, while the Philippine Postal Corporation will issue stamps and other philatelic products honoring the SC’s history and legacy.

Another highlight is the launch of the Model SC, an educational program for senior high school students inspired by Model United Nations. It will simulate oral arguments on public interest cases and demonstrate how SC decisions are communicated through press briefings.

For its inaugural run, participants will come from Manila Science High School, taking on roles such as justices, counsel, amici curiae (friends of the court), SC spokesperson, and media representatives.