SC justices join CACJ meet

Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines led a delegation from the Philippine Judiciary who took part in the Council of ASeAN Chief Justices Retreat Meeting 2023 and the 14th ASEAN Law Association General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

With Gesmundo were Supreme Court Associate Justices Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Rodil V. Zalameda, Mario V. Lopez, Samuel H. Gaerlan, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Antonio T. Kho Jr. and Maria Filomena D. Singh.

The CACJ traces its origins to the inaugural ASEAN Chief Justices Meeting held on 23 August 2013 where it provided a regular forum for the Chief Justices to discuss and exchange views on common issues facing the ASEAN Judiciaries.

It also serves as a platform to promote close relations and build mutual understanding among the ASEAN Judiciaries. In addition, the CACJ facilitates judicial cooperation and collaboration to enhance economic growth and development of the ASEAN region.

The ALA General Assembly, on the other hand, involves representatives from all 10 ASEAN countries — the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Held once every three years, the general assembly aims to promote regional cooperation among lawyers' organizations, law faculties, legal research centers, and similar institutions within the ASEAN region.

The CACJ Retreat Meeting 2023 and the 14th ALA General Assembly were held from 18 to 21 October 2023.

At the Convening of the ALA 14th General Assembly on 19 October 2023, retired chief Justice and ALA Philippines President Artemio V. Panganiban announced that Gesmundo will be the incoming President of ALA Philippines in 2024 and conveyed that the Philippines is willing to host the 45th ALA Governing Council Meeting next year.

During the CACJ Retreat Discussion on 20 October 2023, it was agreed among the ASEAN Chief Justices that the Philippines shall host the 11th CACJ Meeting in 2024.