By Xander Ledesma
Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo was elected as the new chair of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ) during its 11th meeting held on Wednesday at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort.
Gesmundo was nominated for the position by Malaysia’s Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Binti Tuan Mat, the outgoing chair, after no other nominations were raised by fellow members. Gesmundo will serve as chair until the next ordinary meeting, when another election is held.
In her message, Tuan Mat expressed confidence that under Gesmundo’s leadership, the CACJ will continue to thrive. “I am confident that under the strong leadership of the incoming chair, the CACJ will continue to prosper and solidify its role as a beacon of justice and catalyst for change,” she said.
In his acceptance speech, Gesmundo acknowledged the significant responsibility the role entails, especially in light of the challenges and transformations faced by judicial systems in ASEAN countries. He emphasized the need for ASEAN judiciaries to remain adaptable to meet the demands of their respective societies.
“As leaders of our respective judiciaries, we are tasked not only with interpreting and applying the law within our jurisdictions, but also with guiding our judiciaries towards progress,” Gesmundo said. “Our collaboration and sharing of knowledge will not only strengthen our network but will help ASEAN judiciaries find creative solutions to common issues, better serving our people and promoting regional stability.”
The CACJ, formed in 2013, is an organization consisting of the chief justices from the 10 ASEAN member states, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The council aims to promote democracy, rule of law, and stability within the region through cooperation among the member judiciaries.
The body holds regular meetings to address common issues and foster judicial cooperation to enhance legal frameworks in ASEAN, contributing to equitable access to justice and regional economic growth.