Supreme Court set for nationwide oath-taking to implement new judicial ethics code

A nationwide oathtaking of justices, judges, and court personnel will take place during a Supreme Court special en banc session on 18 November 2025 to uphold ethical standards.

The ceremony marks the formal implementation of the Supreme Court’s (SC) comprehensive ethical framework, which was recently completed with the approval of the 2025 Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability (CJCA).

According to the High Court, all members of the Bench—justices and judges—along with court officials and personnel, will take their respective Oath of Ethical Conduct under the newly issued CJCA and the previously launched Code of Conduct and Accountability for Court Officials and Personnel (CCACOP).

The joint oath-taking completes the final component of the three-pronged integrity initiative spearheaded by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, creating a unified ethical framework across the entire Judiciary and the legal profession.

The approval of the CJCA by the SC En Banc finalizes the judiciary’s ethics system. The CJCA now joins:

• the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) for all members of the Philippine Bar, and

• the CCACOP for court officials and personnel.

The Supreme Court said the CJCA provides clearer principles on independence, integrity, and accountability, while incorporating modern standards on conflict of interest, financial disclosure, responsible use of technology and social media, and the promotion of gender fairness and inclusivity.

The sub-committee chaired by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh ensured the code’s relevance through extensive stakeholder consultations during the 2024 National Ethics Caravan.

The CJCA will take effect 15 calendar days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation and its posting on the SC website.