WISHING to avoid any controversy, Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, decided to cancel his trip to The Hague, Netherlands, for an engagement with The Hague Academy of International Law where he was expected to sign an important ‘TOR’ (Terms of Reference) related to the latter’s partnership with the SC.
Ahead of his trip, the SC issued last March 10 a special order (SO) designating Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen as acting chief justice effective March 12.
Incidentally, the Chief Justice’s scheduled trip coincided on the day that former President Rodrigo Duterte arrived at The Hague for his trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC), with the Philippine government ensuring his delivery into its custody by “arresting” him after arrival from a trip in Hongkong last March 11, and chartering a private plane for the trip from Manila to The Hague.
As Gesmundo decided to cancel his trip, SC spokesperson, Camille Ting, said the SO designating Leonen as acting CJ has not been implemented.
The Supreme Court is now the focus of the country’s attention as it tries to resolve several contentious issues.
Aside from ruling on several petitions for habeas corpus on behalf of the former president and those questioning the administration’s actions against him, the high court is also trying to resolve several petitions questioning the constitutionality of the 2025 budget and the executive branch’s decision to utilize the funds of PhilHealth for other purposes.