Philippines Gesmundo now heads ASEAN chief justices council

CEBU, Philippines — Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo of the Philippines was elected as the new chairperson of the ASEAN Chief Justices Council during its 11th meeting in Cebu that culminated yesterday, Nov. 20, 2024.

He was nominated by Malaysia's Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun, the council's outgoing chairperson.

“I am deeply humbled by the trust and confidence you have bestowed upon me today with my election as the Chair of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices. To be entrusted with this position is both a privilege and an immense responsibility, one I accept with utmost gratitude and a firm commitment to continue the pursuit of our shared mission,” said Gesmundo.

In his speech after he was unanimously nominated to the said position, Gesmundo tackled the judicial systems, emphasizing that they are neither static and inflexible. He explained that each of the country’s judicial systems is composed of people, policies and frameworks, processes and infrastructures that continuously evolve as societies advance.

“In this state of flux, a stagnant and unmoving judiciary will be run down and left behind. The ASEAN judiciaries must therefore remain open to change and transformation to remain relevant to their people’s way of life. As the leaders of our respective judiciaries, we have been bestowed not only the mandate to interpret and apply the law within our own jurisdictions, but also the duty to steer our judiciaries in the right direction to meet the demands of progress and development, not just within, but even beyond our borders,” said Gesmundo before the ASEAN chief justices and other delegates.

He said that their collaboration and cooperation, through the exchange of knowledge and skills relating to their domestic legal and judicial frameworks, will not only strengthen their network and share more good practices, but will help the ASEAN judiciaries find creative and transformative solutions to their common issues.

“The obstacles we face today are increasingly complex and interconnected, permeating our territorial boundaries and requiring us to draw deep from our well of diverse legal traditions, perspectives, and experiences. Whether it is to address human rights violations or explore the use of emerging technologies in our own judiciaries, the need for transborder cooperation and partnership has never been more imperative,” he said.

“This gathering of leaders from the ASEAN+ is a testament to our unwavering commitment to this objective. By participating in the ASEAN+ meeting today, we acknowledge the value of learning from one another by sharing our experiences. We must leverage the lessons and the solutions shared by our ASEAN neighbors to address issues and challenges that resonate cross-border,” Gesmundo added.

Meanwhile, in his welcome address during the 45th ALA Governing Council Meeting held on November 19, 2024 in Cebu, Gesmundo stressed that they gather not only as legal professionals but as individuals committed to upholding the rule of law.

“Whether we are judges, practitioners, scholars, or policymakers, we are united by a common purpose: the promotion of understanding and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected global community. As law practitioners and scholars, we recognize the importance ofour role not only within our national borders but also in the broader context of regional cooperation and development. Our collective work has the power to positively impact developments in the ASEAN region, and today marks a significant step forward in that journey,” he said.

He said that the objectives of the gathering are clear and crucial which is “to strengthen the bonds between lawyers across ASEAN and build lasting relationships based on trust, respect, and a shared vision for the future of law in the region.”

The success of ASEAN, he said, is grounded in cooperation, and it is through this that they can address the complex challenges that lie ahead in the legal system.

Also, the CACJ-Philippines Publications was officially launched the other day led Gesmundo, highlighting resources on judicial collaboration and legal development throughout ASEAN.

The publications include a Compendium of Good Practices in Adjudicating Trafficking in Persons Cases in ASEAN Member States: Lessons Learned and Responses to Challenges; Framework for a Judicial Knowledge Exchange on Trafficking in Persons in ASEAN; Compendium of Videoconferencing Practices among co ASEAN Member States; and Working Group on Cross-Border Disputes Involving Children: A Compendium of Agreed Frameworks.

“After listening to the descriptions by our Working Groups, we see how each publication is now an immutable record, not just of the work that went into its creation, but of the invaluable guidance it will provide to the individual Member States and the entire ASEAN region. Each of these publications reinforces our mission to create more connected and resilient ASEAN judiciaries. Indeed, the knowledge and experiences shared through these publications underscore the Council’s dedication to innovation through collaboration,” Gesmundo added. –/ATO (FREEMAN)