(Photo courtesy of SC)
The Supreme Court has a new chief, its 27th, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. He took over from former CJ Diosdado Peralta who retired last March 27.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo has confirmed this news to the Philippine News Agency and claimed he learned of the new from Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque cannot confirm the news himself. He said his office has yet to receive a copy of the appointment papers of the new Chief Justice signed by President Duterte.
“As a matter of SOP (standard operating procedure), judicial appointments are confirmed by my office only after they have been received by the Supreme Court. Given the long holiday, the earliest a judicial appointment can be received by the Court would be this Monday,” Roque said in a text message to reporters covering Malacañang.
Gesmundo was named Supreme Court Associate Justice in August 2017. He was previously a Sandiganbayan associate justice. He will serve until November 6, 2026.
The new Chief Justice is the fourth SC chief appointed by Duterte. He obtained his law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1984 and passed the Bar examinations the following year.
In August 1985, Gesmundo entered government service as trial attorney at the Office of the Solicitor General. He also served as a member of the Presidential Commission on Good Government from July 17, 1998 to February 15, 2001 when he was named Assistant Solicitor General.