Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo inducted the new Board of Trustees and Executive Officers of the Maritime Law Association of the Philippines (MARLAW) on February 22, 2023 at the Supreme Court Dignitaries’ Lounge.
In a message to the inductees, Chief Justice Gesmundo underscored the crucial role maritime lawyers play, noting that as “an archipelago, our nation’s collective destiny is deeply tied to the sea. The domestic shipping industry is a critical component of our economy…And disputes even out in far seas tangibly affect the daily lives of our people here at home.”
The Chief Justice then shared how the Court’s adoption of A.M. No. 19-08-14-SC, or the Rules of Procedure for Admiralty Cases will enhance the administration of justice in admiralty cases, providing a fast, reliable, and efficient means of recourse to Philippine courts. Since the Rules took effect in 2020, 10 Regional Trial Courts nationwide have been designated as “Special Admiralty Courts.”
The Chief Justice also thanked MARLAW for its various activities focused on disseminating information on key developments and issues that affect the maritime sector, such as the conduct of a webinar which helped ensure the health and safety of maritime frontliners and passengers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chief Justice concluded by reminding the MARLAW inductees “to serve not only those within your ranks or the industry you work with, but all those whose lives you touch…[with] courage, strength, and clarity to steer your association, the industry it serves, and the nation, through the challenges that lie ahead.” (Photo and caption courtesy of the SC Public Information Office)