The Supreme Court (SC) has appointed retired police general Manuel R. Gaerlan as the first Chief Marshal of the judiciary under the newly established Office of the Judiciary Marshal (OJM).
Gaerlan took his oath of office before Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo on Monday, March 10, at the SC’s session hall.
As chief marshal, Gaerlan will implement the Judiciary Marshals Act which provides security, safety, and protection to members, officials, personnel, and property of all courts in the country.
Under Republic Act No. 11691 enacted in 2022, the OJM will also provide security and protection to the integrity of proceedings in all courts.
The OJM will operate under the direct control and supervision of the SC and is empowered to investigate threats, conduct lawful arrests and seizures, and assist in the enforcement of writs and court processes.
Also, the OJM is empowered to investigate crimes committed against members of the judiciary, as well as allegations of graft and corruption within the judicial system.
It can issue subpoenas, apply for search warrants, administer oaths, and access public records from other government agencies while adhering to the provisions of the Data Privacy Act.
The establishment of the OJM is a key initiative under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI) and is aligned explicitly with its goal of improving efficiency in judicial operations, the SC’s Office of the Spokesperson said in a press briefer.
Gaerlan will be supported by three deputy marshals for Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
The press briefer stated that Gaerlan, a summa cum laude graduate and class valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (1985), “brings over 30 years of experience in security, intelligence, investigation, and law enforcement.”
It said that Gaerlan started his career as a cadet in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP and rose to the rank of first lieutenant by 1988.
He transitioned to the Philippine National Police (PNP), serving for 27 years in various leadership roles, including chief of the Marikina City Police Station; division chief and assistant director for operations of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and chief of the provincial intelligence and investigation branch of the Cavite provincial office.
He also served five years with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) as security officer to the late President Fidel V. Ramos.
Gaerlan retired from the PNP in 2018 with the rank of police brigadier general. He holds a Master’s degree in management from the Asian Institute of Management, where he graduated with distinction.
He later served as president and chief executive officer of the Clark Development Corporation until 2022.
Prior to his appointment as chief marshal, Gaerlan was chairperson and chief finance officer of Prime Lift and Load Industries, Inc.
The press briefer also stated that Gaerlan, among other awards, was recipient of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in 2013, Best Senior Police Officer of the Year and Outstanding Law Enforcer in 2010, and Cavalier Award for Police Operations.