Gesmundo: Supreme Court will always protect judges, court employees

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Wednesday said that the Supreme Court will always protect its judges and the judiciary workers following remarks made against a court judge.

Gesmundo issued the remark after the SC's warning that provoking violence against judges and their families through social media and other means would be considered "contempt" of the High Tribunal.

“Just like before, when there's a necessity for the court to make a statement, warranted under the circumstances, the Supreme Court will not take it sitting down and express its view. Of course, avoiding pre-judging, in case a case should reach the court,” Gesmundo said in a media interview during the inauguration of the new Sotero H. Laurel Academic Resource Center at his alma mater, Lyceum of the Philippines Manila.

“Basically, the Supreme Court will always be there to protect its judges, justices, court employees, and everyone in the judiciary,” he added.

The SC Public Information Office earlier said that the SC tackled on its own statements made by "a certain Lorraine Badoy containing threats against Judge Marlo A. Magdoza-Malagar of the Manila Regional Trial Court, Branch 19.”

Badoy, a former spokesperson for the National Task Force on Ending the Local Armed Conflict, on Facebook criticized Malagar for her decision to dismiss the Department of Justice’s proscription case seeking to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army as terrorist groups.

She, however, denied making threats against Magdoza-Malagar.

“I did not threaten anybody. Lalo na 'yung judge. Walang threats 'yan [Especially the judge. There were no threats],” Badoy said in a radio interview.

The former NTF-ELCAC official, however, said she “respects” the SC and takes “full cognizance” of their issued warning. — BM, GMA News