No let-up vs human trafficking — CJ

Gesmundo said the SC and its judicial education arm, the Philippine Judicial Academy, will continue to support ASEAN-ACT’s projects

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has assured the public and the international community of the Supreme Court’s (SC) continuing support for the campaign against human trafficking.

Gesmundo put forward the judiciary’s thrust to help stop the trafficking of persons during the virtual courtesy call by members of the ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking (ACT).

“I would say that the acronym ASEAN-ACT is a not a coincidence but rather a reflection of what reality is, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Australian government are one in squarely addressing the issues on trafficking in persons,” the head of the Philippine judiciary said.

“It may not be amiss to state that the Philippine Supreme Court, for its part, has affirmed convictions in cases involving trafficking in persons,” he added.

It may not be amiss to state that the Philippine Supreme Court, for its part, has affirmed convictions in cases involving trafficking in persons.

Gesmundo said the SC and its judicial education arm, the

Philippine Judicial Academy (PhilJA), will continue to support ASEAN-ACT’s projects.

He added collaborations will continue on trafficking-in-persons trainings, in coordination with the other stakeholders of the justice sector in the Philippines.

Joining the Chief Justice online were Associate Justices Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Rodil V. Zalameda, Mario V. Lopez, and Jhosep Y. Lopez; PhilJA Chancellor Arturo D. Brion, Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Deputy Clerk of Court and Judicial Reform Program Administrator Atty. Laura C.H. del Rosario.

Assistant Court Administrator and Public Information Office chief Atty. Brian Keith F. Hosaka, and Chief Judicial Reform Program Officer of the Program Management Office Atty. Reynaline G. Tan-Francisco were present in the division hearing room with Gesmundo.

The ASEAN-ACT, thru its predecessor programs — the Australia-Asia Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons (2013-2018) and the Asia Regional Trafficking in Persons Project (2006-2013) — is a long-standing partner of the PhilJA in empowering judges, court workers, and allied government agencies handling trafficking in persons cases.

PHOTOGRAPH BY BOB DUNGO JR. FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE Me worry? Despite a reimposed ban on children going out of their houses, this boy stares back at the camera lens nonchallantly.