President Marcos names Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda as the new Chief Justice

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda as the country’s next Chief Justice.

According to a report of the Philippine News Agency, the announcement was made on Thursday by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Lino Cayetano.

Zalameda will assume the helm of the judiciary following the mandatory retirement of outgoing Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, who reaches the compulsory retirement age of 70 on Friday, November 6.

Background of the New Chief Magistrate

Supreme Court Appointment: According to the Supreme Court website, Zalameda joined the high tribunal as an Associate Justice on August 5, 2019, under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Notably, he was the first Supreme Court appointee to undergo a written decision-writing examination administered by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

Appellate and Prosecution Career: Prior to his elevation to the Supreme Court, he served for 11 years as an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals starting in 2008. His public legal career began in the prosecution service in 1995, eventually serving as the City Prosecutor of Mandaluyong City in 2002.

Education and Early Practice: Born on August 2, 1963, in Caloocan City, Zalameda earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 1987 before entering private legal practice.

With his appointment, Chief Justice Zalameda is expected to lead the 15-member high tribunal in continuing judicial reforms and digital transformation initiatives across Philippine courts. -Paraluman News with a report from Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/Philippine News Agency