The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) today concluded the public panel interviews for the position of Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines, in view of the compulsory retirement of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo on November 6, 2026. Interviewed on Monday, October 26, 2026, were #SupremeCourtPH (SC) Associate Justices Rodil V. Zalameda, Japar B. Dimaampao, and Jose Midas P. Marquez. Chief Justice Gesmundo, Ex Officio Chairperson of the JBC and representative of the Judiciary, led the panel interviews. Joining him were JBC Members: Hon. Fredderick A. Vida, Secretary of Justice and JBC Ex Officio Member representing the Executive Department; Hon. Francis N. Pangilinan, Senator and JBC Ex Officio Member representing the Legislative Department; Hon. Gerville R. Luistro, Congresswoman and JBC Ex Officio Member representing the Legislative Department; Hon. Jose Catral Mendoza, JBC Regular Member representing the Retired SC Justices; Hon. Nesauro H. Firme, JBC Regular Member representing the Academe; Hon. Erlinda Piñera Uy, JBC Regular Member representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines; and Hon. Jose V. Mejia, JBC Regular Member representing the Private Sector.

The 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 (𝐉𝐁𝐂) will continue its public panel interviews of candidates for the position of 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭, in view of the compulsory retirement of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo on November 6, 2026. The following candidates are scheduled for interview today, October 26, 2026: ZALAMEDA, Rodil Vaquilar DIMAAMPАO, Japar Babay MARQUEZ, Jose Midas Pascual Read the full text of the @JBC_Ph Announcement at bit.ly/4i0bgLd.

Updated as of 10:10 A.M., October 26, 2026 Court operations in some areas in the Philippines are suspended on Monday, October 26, 2026 (except as otherwise indicated). Visit our Facebook page for full copies of memoranda: Judicial Region (JR) 3 - 𝐌𝐓𝐂 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐲, 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐚𝐧 - Annual Fiesta JR 4-A - 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐬 - Founding Anniversary - 𝐌𝐓𝐂 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐢𝐬, 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐬 - power interruption - CANCELLED JR 5 - 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬 - Foundation Day Please refer to the memos for additional details. #SCPhWalangPasok #SupremeCourtPH

The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) and the Office of the Ombudsman signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening institutional coordination within the Philippine justice sector and advancing a more integrated, policy-driven response to corruption, on October 26, 2026, at the SC compound in Manila. The JSCC is composed of the #SupremeCourtPH (SC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Under the partnership, the JSCC and the Office of the Ombudsman will create a system for consultation and coordination on matters of common concern involving justice sector reform and develop protocols for the secure and lawful sharing of relevant information and data. They will also hold consultations, policy dialogues, and technical discussions, and conduct joint capacity-building activities and training programs. The signing ceremony was led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, DOJ Senior Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez, DILG Undersecretary Jon Paulo V. Salvahan, and Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla. SC Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh and Assistant Ombudsman and Ombudsman Spokesperson Atty. Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV signed as witnesses, while SC Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas notarized the MOU. They were joined by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen and SC Associate Justices Ricardo R. Rosario, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Raul B. Villanueva. Chief Justice Gesmundo described the MOU as ground-breaking, as the JSCC now enters a new phase that brings the fight against corruption more deliberately into its efforts to strengthen the criminal justice system. Justice Singh, Chairperson of the JSCC Technical Working Group on Processes and Capacity Building, reflected on the achievements of the JSCC since 2010. She said the MOU with the Ombudsman will help make the JSCC’s work even more comprehensive and decisive. Ombudsman Remulla said the partnership with the JSCC would help improve initiatives to prevent, address bottlenecks in corruption-related cases, strengthen secure information-sharing and digital systems, and build institutional capabilities to address increasingly complex forms of corruption.