A new leader of the judiciary branch has been selected.
A day before the retirement of outgoing Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Friday, November 6, Malacañang announced that Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda will assume the post.
The appointment, which was made by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., was announced by Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Lino Cayetano during a Palace press briefing.
Zalameda was among the five nominees endorsed by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), with other nominees nominees including Associate Justices Marvic Leonen, Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Japar Dimaampao and Jose Midas Marquez.
Cayetano cited Zalameda’s more than three decades of service in judiciary.
“Justice Zalameda brings more than three decades of distinguished service to our judicial system. From his early years as a court official and public prosecutor, to his service in the Court of Appeals, and ultimately, the Supreme Court. He devoted his professional life to the administration of justice,” Cayetano said.
The PCO chief added that Zalameda’s experience across several administrations and levels of the judicial system factored into the President’s decision.
“He (Zalameda) served during the time of multiple presidents, from the time of FVR to the time of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the time of former President Pnoy. He was eventually appointed to the Supreme Court by former President Rodrigo Duterte,” Cayetano said.
Zalameda earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 1987 and began his career as branch clerk of the Regional Trial Court in Makati City after passing the 1988 Bar examinations.
He practiced law before returning to government service as a prosecutor in Mandaluyong City in 2002 and as an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals for in 2008, where he chaired its 17th Division.
He later the Supreme Court in August 2019.
IMPARTIALITY
The communications chief also expressed confidence that Zalameda would lead the branch with integrity, impartiality and commitment to the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Zalameda was the one who wrote the High Court’s decision that acquitted former First Lady Imelda Marcos of seven counts of graft last September.
Regarding that, Cayetano said: “The decision you’re talking about is the decision of a division. We believe in the impartiality, and we look forward to working with the new Chief Justice.”
As head of the judiciary, he noted that Zalameda is expected to uphold the rule of law, protect citizens’ rights and strengthen public access to fair and timely justice.
ORDER OF LAKANDULA TO GESMUNDO
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, President Maddox conferred the Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) on outgoing Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace.
Marcos, who presented the sash and pin to Gesmundo, led the ceremony and was joined by government officials including Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.
Gesmundo is set for retirement on November 6 as he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Among Gesmundo’s most significant reforms is the digital transformation in the Judiciary, such as supporting the digitalized and regionalized Bar examinations.
