The Manila Times
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared June as “Judiciary Month,” in time for the commemoration of the 125th founding anniversary of the Supreme Court. The president, through Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, signed Proclamation 1265 on May 21, amending Proclamation 47, which declared the “Judiciary Week.” ”There is a need to further strengthen public awareness and appreciation of the Judiciary as a pillar of democratic governance by providing a longer period for the conduct of programs and activities that promote judicial integrity, independence, accountability and efficiency,” the president said. ”Extending the observance to the entire month of June will allow the Judiciary greater flexibility in organizing activities and will enable wider participation from stakeholders while ensuring that the celebration remains anchored on the founding anniversary of the Supreme Court,” he added. Marcos directed all agencies and instrumentalities to participate and provide the necessary assistance for the effective implementation of Proclamation 1265. The Supreme Court was established on June 11, 1901, through Act 136 of the Philippine Commission. It had 26 chief justices with Cayetano Arellano as the first chief magistrate. Incumbent Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo is the 27th head of the judiciary. Associate Justice Raul Villanueva is the latest appointee at the Supreme Court as the 195th associate justice. In celebration of its 125th anniversary, the court has rolled out a series of activities throughout the year under the theme “Supreme Court: 125 Years of Tradition and Innovation.” The commemoration began with a special en banc session on Jan. 14 at the Ayuntamiento de Manila, where the Supreme Court once sat until World War II. An exhibit highlighting its history was also displayed at the Ayuntamiento and at the Supreme Court Main Lobby on Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila. Throughout the Judiciary Month, the court said that several commemorative initiatives will be unveiled like historical markers from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines at the Supreme Court New Building, which has served as the court’s principal seat since 1991. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will present commemorative coins and banknotes, while the Philippine Postal Corp. will issue stamps and other philatelic products honoring the court’s history and legacy. Meanwhile, AF Payments Inc. will release beep cards promoting public awareness of the Judiciary. These will be available to the public, with complimentary cards distributed to Supreme Court employees. Soon to open is the Supreme Court Gift Shop at the court’s main building, offering official merchandise, such as apparel, accessories, drinkware and stationery, including special 125th anniversary items. Another highlight of the occasion is the launch of the Model Supreme Court, an educational program for senior high school students inspired by Model United Nations. It will simulate oral arguments on public interest cases and demonstrate how court decisions are communicated through press briefings. For its inaugural run, participants will come from Manila Science High School, taking on roles such as justices, counsel, amici curiae (friends of the court), Supreme Court spokesman and media representatives. On June 11, Gesmundo will lead a whole-day anniversary celebration at the Supreme Court Quadrangle in Manila, to be attended by incumbent and retired justices, court officials and employees.
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