Brigadier General Manuel Gaerlan (Ret.) on Monday took his oath as the first Chief Marshal of the newly-established Office of the Judiciary Marshals (OJM).
The establishment of the said office is part of the Supreme Court’s (SC) Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI) to improve efficiency in judicial operations.
The OJM was created under the Judiciary Marshals Act to address increasing threats against members of the Judiciary.
As chief marshal, Gaerlan will lead efforts to ensure the security of judges, court personnel, and judiciary properties across the country.
He will be supported by three Deputy Marshals assigned to Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Gaerlan brings over 30 years of experience in security, intelligence, investigation, and law enforcement.
A total of 118 applications for the top OJM positions were received by the SC.
Following a meticulous process, the appointment made a historic milestone in the Judiciary’s commitment to protecting its members and upholding judicial independence.