Manila,November 5 (AseanAll) — Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
CJ Zalameda succeeds Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, who retires on November 6, 2026.
President Marcos’ decision was announced by Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Lino Edgardo Cayetano during a Palace press briefing Thursday, citing Zalameda’s more than three decades of service in the Judiciary as a court official, prosecutor and magistrate of the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Associate Justice.
“Justice Zalameda brings more than three decades of distinguished service to our judicial system. From his early years as a court official and public prosecutor, to his service in the Court of Appeals, and ultimately, the Supreme Court. He devoted his professional life to the administration of justice,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano expressed confidence that Zalameda would lead the Judiciary with integrity, impartiality and commitment to the rule of law.
The PCO chief added that Zalameda’s experience across several administrations and levels of the judicial system factored into the President’s decision.
“He (Zalameda) served during the time of multiple presidents, from the time of FVR to the time of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the time of former President Pnoy. He was eventually appointed to the Supreme Court by former President Rodrigo Duterte,” Cayetano said.
Zalameda joined the Supreme Court in August 2019 after serving for 11 years as an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, where he chaired its 17th Division.
He began his government career as branch clerk of the Regional Trial Court in Makati City after passing the 1988 Bar examinations. He later practiced law before returning to government service as a prosecutor. In 2002, he became Mandaluyong City prosecutor and received the city’s Ulirang Mandaleño recognition in 2010.
Zalameda earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 1987 under an academic scholarship. He also served as associate editor of the Ateneo Law Journal and senior staff member of the Ateneo Law Bulletin.
Asked about concerns over Zalameda’s independence, Cayetano said the administration believes in the impartiality of the Judiciary.
“The decision you’re talking about is the decision of a division. We believe in the impartiality, and we look forward to working with the new Chief Justice,” he said.
Zalameda was among the five nominees endorsed by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for the country’s highest judicial post. The other nominees were Associate Justices Marvic Leonen, Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Japar B. Dimaampao and Jose Midas P. Marquez.
As head of the Judiciary, Zalameda is expected to uphold the rule of law, protect citizens’ rights and strengthen public access to fair and timely justice.
