Gesmundo bids fellow ‘Gods of Faura’ farewell
Retiring Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo paid tribute to his fellow justices and Supreme Court personnel, praising their collective efforts to modernize the Judiciary, improve operational efficiency and better serve the public during his final flag ceremony.
“I know none of this was easy. Many of us had to adapt, make sacrifices, and press forward despite the deep uncertainty. Those times tested us — not only as individuals but also as an institution. Yet, through it all, we persevered,” Gesmundo said.
Appointed the country’s 27th chief justice on 5 April 2021, Gesmundo championed the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI), the Supreme Court’s blueprint for institutional reform and modernization aimed at delivering accessible, responsive and real-time justice.
He said the initiatives rolled out during his tenure demonstrated the Judiciary’s capacity to evolve, embrace technological advances and keep pace with modern demands.
Gesmundo stressed that while the Court pursued reforms to upgrade its systems, it also gave equal priority to protecting, supporting and strengthening its workforce.
The Supreme Court justices have been called the “Gods of Padre Faura,” a reference to the High Court’s decisions and their impact on governance, jurisprudence and the pursuit of justice.
“I want to say this with complete honesty: none of the successes we have achieved are the result of just one person’s hard work. All of this was realized because of every one of you. Your efforts, no matter how big or small, became a part of every transformation we achieved,” he said.
Acknowledging that much work remained, Gesmundo expressed confidence that he was leaving behind a Judiciary ready to build on its foundations and face future challenges with courage, competence and compassion.
“To have served alongside you in the Supreme Court is a lifelong honor that I will always treasure. Your dedication, empathy, and cooperation will forever remain a part of the memories I will carry with me wherever I go. Thank you all very much,” he said.
Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez also expressed gratitude to Gesmundo, describing his tenure as an era of “transformative leadership” and unwavering commitment to judicial innovation.
“We express our deepest gratitude to Chief Justice Alex for his transformative leadership, unwavering commitment to innovation, and inspiring dedication to serving the Filipino people with compassion and excellence,” Marquez said.