NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — The United States government has contributed to the Supreme Judicial (SC) PHP4.2 million worth of videoconferencing technology in support of the tribunal’s efforts to limit dangers from face-to-face court proceedings during the coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement Friday, the high court said US Embassy in Manila Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava met with Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Thursday for the turnover of the donation from the US State Department’s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) including nine units of videoconferencing tools, nine 55-inch television sets, a professional high-bright teleprompter, and other accessories.

This equipment will be used by the SC and will be given to many lower courts to support video conferencing sessions and avoid dangers associated with in-person interactions during the pandemic.

The Training Registration and Management System, a browser-based data collecting system expressly created and designed to assist the Philippine Judicial Academy in managing the information and data acquired for seminars it organizes, is also included in the donation.

Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Rodil V. Zalameda, Mario V. Lopez, Ricardo R. Rosario, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Japar B. Dimaampao, and Jose Midas P. Marquez joined Chief Justice Estela M. Perlas- Bernabe.

INL Director Kelia Cummins and INL legal specialist Chudney Ngo accompanied Variava.

To maintain physical distance, the courtesy call was held in the SC session hall rather than the dignitaries’ lounge.

Gesmundo also spoke about the bill creating the Office of the Judicial Marshals, which the President is likely to sign into law soon.

He also stated that he will seek US government support in establishing a judicial marshals academy and operationalizing the Office of the Judicial Marshals.

The Chief Justice also described how, despite the pandemic, the Philippine courts were able to keep the wheels of justice turning by holding video conferencing hearings.

He also expressed gratitude to the US government for donating videoconferencing technology to the Court.

“We are grateful for all of the assistance and support that the United States government has provided to the Court,” Gesmundo said, adding that the donation of videoconferencing equipment from Washington DC “will contribute to our collective commitment to expanding public access to justice through technology.”

Variava, for her part, underlined the US government’s commitment and support for the Court’s judicial reform initiatives, as well as the founding of the Office of the Judicial Marshals.

She said it was “exciting to see how technology is being used in court” and that the US government will “assist and support you in any way we can.”

“Your friendship means a lot to us,” Variava added.

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