The Supreme Court extolled the judiciary’s clerks of courts and other personnel for the “most crucial work” they do as the “first contacts of the public” in the administration of justice.
In his keynote address during the 13th National Convention of the Judicial Court Clerks Association of the Philippines Inc. (JCCAP), Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said “those people working in the trial courts are the most crucial in the administration of justice.”
“You are the first contact of people transacting in the courts regarding their cases, such that trial court employees of whatever rank or position must be able to reflect the kind of judicial service that we want to give our people,” Gesmundo said.
The top magistrate stressed that “if the people are dissatisfied in their first contact with the trial court, it reflects on us.”
The JCCAP, formerly known as the Judiciary Association of Clerks of the Philippines or JACOPHIL, is the association of 3,966 judiciary clerks from all judicial regions nationwide.
Gesmundo also highlighted the importance of the SC’s five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) with reforms to dispense justice “efficiently, effectively, and timely.”
“We cannot overemphasize that the SPJI is necessary to reinvigorate and retool the judicial system. The Court must consistently be proactive and continuously innovate especially at this time of greater uncertainties and challenges,” he said.
He assured the JCCAP members the institution of reforms in courts means ensuring everyone’s progress.
“These innovations are not meant to supplant us, but to support us, to empower us to unleash our potential for more effective and more meaningful work,” he said.
“We are transforming our processes not simply to tinker with them, but to free those who work in the judiciary from the shackles of bureaucracy that limit their productivity, so that they may be empowered to lead happier and healthier lives. Our reforms are as much for all the women and men of the judiciary as they are for the public we serve,” the Chief Justice added.