12/08/2026
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo welcomed the delegation from Kapunungan sa mga Pilipinong Hukom (HUKOM), an organization of first- and second-level trial court judges, during a courtesy call on August 10, 2026, at the Supreme Court (SC) En Banc Conference Room in Manila.
During the visit, Ateneo de Naga University College of Law Dean Atty. Domnina T. Rances presented HUKOMโs study on procedural fairness in Philippine trial courts to the Chief Justice.
HUKOM commissioned the Ateneo de Naga University Social Science Research Center to conduct the study, which examined public trust in the courts based on procedural justice principles. The study surveyed 200 court users in Naga City and nearby municipalities, most of whom were defendants or accused individuals in cases involving dangerous drugs, to determine how perceptions of fairness, respect, and clear communication affect public confidence in the Judiciary.
The study also highlighted the role of frontline court staff, whose professionalism, courtesy, and efficiency shape how litigants and the public experience the justice system.
Chief Justice Gesmundo thanked HUKOM for the initiative and underscored the studyโs importance in supporting the Judiciaryโs commitment to evidence-based policy implementation under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022โ2027 (SPJI). He added that the study could contribute to the work of the Courtโs High-Performance Courts initiative, which seeks to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the performance of courts and court personnel to identify areas where further improvements may be made in the administration of justice.
Read more at: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=170894
