Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo as the 27th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Malacañang confirmed on Monday.
“Pinirmahan na po ni Presidente ang appointment ni dating Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo bilang bagong Chief Justice ng Korte Suprema ng Pilipinas,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his briefing.
[Translation: The President has signed the appointment of former Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.]
“Tiwala kami na ipagpatuloy ng bagong punong mahistrado na i-uphold ang judicial excellence at independence, pairalin ang rule of law at pangunahan ang mga reporma para itaguyod ang integridad at propesyonalismo sa hudikatura,” Roque added.
[Translation: We believe that the new Chief Justice will uphold judicial excellence and independence, will commit to the rule of law, and will lead reforms that will uphold the integrity and professionalism of the judiciary.]
CNN Philippines last Friday got at least two highly-placed sources to confirm Gesmundo’s appointment.
Gesmundo, who was named by Duterte as a magistrate in August 2017, will assume the post vacated by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta who opted for an early retirement.
He will serve until November 2026. He is the fourth chief justice appointed by Duterte during his presidency.
Prior to his stint in the Supreme Court, Gesmundo served as a Sandiganbayan associate justice.
