Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo has urged the active involvement and participation of all court officials and employees to attain the Supreme Court’s (SC) “vision of a revitalized judiciary that delivers responsive and real-time justice."

The call was aired during 36^th founding anniversary and general assembly of the Supreme Court Employees Association (SCEA) held last Friday, Aug. 11.

Gesmundo told the SCEA officers and members: “"Every employee in the Court, and indeed, every employee in the Judiciary, plays an important role in the administration of justice. There is no distinction as to what level you are, or what position you hold: every employee in the Court is important to us."

Under the five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) until 2027, the Chief Justice underscored “the importance of all court employees.”

"Advancing your welfare was among the foremost considerations in its design, and it will remain a foundation of our pursuit of its reforms and innovations,” he said.

He then urged court officials and employees: "We will need your active involvement and participation if we are to succeed in turning to reality our vision of a revitalized Judiciary that delivers responsive and real time justice."

He said that among the undertakings under the SPJI that are centered on the welfare and development of court personnel are: capitalizing on artificial intelligence for court operations and formulating the Judiciary Enterprise ICT Governance Framework, initiatives towards a more inclusive and responsive health and welfare program, and opening online learning platforms for court officials and employees through the Philippine Judicial Academy.

"To us, it is clear: if we want the Judiciary to better serve our people, we must first better serve the people who comprise the Judiciary -- including the employees of the Supreme Court," he said.

He stressed: “Alongside pursuing these reforms, may we never forget that in order for us to reach our goal, we must continuously perform our duties in accordance with only the highest standards of excellence, always striving to live up to the SCEA’s vision of court employees who are truly valued, productive, and honorable."

Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier also gave a message to all SCEA officers and members.

Justice Javier said: "You are a model of everything an employee association should be. You are not just a force to be reckoned with, but also a voice to reckon with; when you speak, people listen."

“We cannot do our vital role as the final dispenser of justice without your invaluable support on the ground,” she also said.

Those who joined Chief Justice Gesmundo and Justice Javier during SCEA’s general assembly were Atty. Teresita A. Tuazon, deputy clerk of court, SC second division and Atty. Marilyn I. De Joya, officer-in-charge of the Fiscal Management and Budget Office.

The newly elected SCEA Officers for 2023-2025 are Erwin D. Ocson, president; Albert S. Montinola, vice-president; Cynthia Ines M. Abad, secretary; Oliva Q. Tubaga, treasurer; and Ma. Lourdes P. Serrano, auditor.

The SCEA board of directors is composed of Rossana T. Ramos, sectoral representative I; Nancy S. Rivera, sectoral representative II; Eduardo M. Irigayen, Jr., sectoral representative IV; Susan M. Doronio, Rosemarie D. Labro, and Luis M. De Guzman, sectoral representatives V; Mercedita G. Gutierrez, sectoral representative VII; and Lirio G. Caranguian, sectoral representative VIII.