Gesmundo: Law creating Judiciary marshals 'a great help'

The recently-signed law creating the Office of the Judiciary Marshals would be a great help not only to the Supreme Court but to the entire judiciary, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said Thursday.

In a statement, Gesmundo said Republic Act No. 11691 or the Judiciary Marshals Act would help in ensuring an efficient and effective delivery of justice.

“Indeed, the creation of RA 11691 will not only secure, protect, and safeguard the judiciary but will also boost the morale of its members, officials, and personnel at this time when there is the concern of the threats to judges and killings of lawyers,” he said.

The Chief Justice noted that the Judiciary is one of the three pillars of republican democracy, which “itself hangs on a careful balance between and among governmental powers.”

“To threaten our judges and our lawyers is no less than an assault on the judiciary. To assault the judiciary is to shake the very bedrock on which the rule of law stands,” he stressed.

Gesmundo, in a meeting with United States Embassy officials in February,  said he will seek the assistance of the US government in the operationalization of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals, especially in establishing a judiciary marshals academy.

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the creation of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said Wednesday.

Andanar said the Office of the Judiciary Marshals “shall be primarily responsible for the security, safety, and protection of the members, officials, personnel, and property of the judiciary, including the integrity of the courts and its proceedings.”

He added the Office will be under the control and supervision of the Supreme Court through the Office of the Court Administrator.

The Office aims to counter attacks against judges, lawyers, and other court personnel.—Mel Matthew Doctor/AOL, GMA News