Chief Justice pays tribute to women in judiciary

MANILA, Philippines (Corrected 2:28 p.m., March 27) — Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo paid tribute to women justices and judges who demonstrated “efficiency and resilience under uncertain circumstances and challenging conditions” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the convention of the Philippine Women Judges Association (PWJA) in Pasay City, Gesmundo praised the accomplishments of the women magistrates and urged the judiciary to support and recognize their achievements.

“The judiciary would do well to support and recognize your accomplishments for both women and men to emulate,” he said.

He also promised that the Supreme Court (SC) would give all the necessary support to the magistrates, including the development of coping mechanisms, personal development skills and realizing their full potentials.

The Chief Justice stressed that the SC would continue to pursue greater speed, efficiency and innovation in its operations and processes, as well as the mental health of judges and court personnel.

“We need to recognize that taking care of mental health is not a luxury, but a necessity for all individuals. This means providing resources to help our judges manage their mental health, whether through counseling services, mindfulness training or other forms of support,” he said.

The Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, the SC’s reform agenda, will institutionalize a health insurance system for officials and employees, according to Gesmundo.

He also mentioned that free or subsidized annual physical and mental health examinations would be mandated, and mental health units would be established in all court levels in the judicial regions around the country.

Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier, the president of the PWJA, supported Gesmundo’s message and spoke about the importance of seeking help when needed.

“Never hesitate to ask for help. Remember that you are a member of a loving and supporting sisterhood, your very own personal angels are always ready to help,” Lazaro-Javier said.

Gesmundo also spoke about the systemic issues that contribute to mental health challenges for women judges, including gender biases in the legal profession, and ensured that women have equal opportunities for advancement and leadership positions.

To address these issues, the SC approved its first-ever organic Guidelines for the Use of Gender-Fair Language and Courtroom Etiquette in the Judiciary and approved the Study on Feminism in Philippine Jurisprudence, which seeks to analyze gender themes and philosophies in local precedents.

The Committee on Decorum and Investigation of Sexual Harassment Cases has also been reconstituted and strengthened in all levels of the courts and administrative offices.