New Chief Justice Takes Oath
Malacañang earlier said that Zalameda’s experience across the different levels of the judicial system gives him a “comprehensive understanding of the courts and the people they serve.”
Newly appointed Chief Justice Rodil Zalameda officially took his oath as the 28th chief magistrate on Friday, Nov. 6, succeeding Alexander Gesmundo who retired on the same day.
Zalameda took his oath before Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen. He was joined by his family.
The ceremonial turnover of the gavel, meanwhile, was administered by Gesmundo.
Leonen was among the other four aspirants for the chief justice position, which included Associate Justices Benjamin Caguioa, Japar Dimaampao and Jose Midas Marquez.
According to the SC, Zalameda brings more than three decades of experience in the judiciary, having served in roles that spanned both sides of the justice system, from one seeking judicial decisions to now rendering them.
It was Zalameda who wrote the SC decision that overturned the conviction of former first lady Imelda Marcos, the mother of President Marcos, on seven counts of graft.
Zalameda also authored the SC ruling that threw out challenges to Marcos’ presidential bid in 2022, ruling that his estate tax case did not constitute an offense of moral turpitude that warranted disqualification from public office.
He also authored the decision granting a writ of amparo in favor of former Bayan Muna lawmaker Siegfred Deduro, which recognized that red-tagging and guilt by association threaten a person’s right to life, liberty or security.
Malacañang earlier said that Zalameda’s experience across the different levels of the judicial system gives him a “comprehensive understanding of the courts and the people they serve.”
Zalameda was appointed to the Supreme Court by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 after going through the first-ever written examinations for magistrate applicants. Upon his appointment to the SC, he drew criticism for posing with Duterte while flashing the then president’s trademark fist gesture.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan is urging Zalameda to aggressively spearhead the reform of the Philippine justice system, emphasizing the need to rebuild public trust and eradicate judicial corruption. – With an additional report from Neil Jayson Servallos
