DAVAO CITY (June 5)-— Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo has reiterated the Supreme Court’s (SC) firm commitment to protect children from online sexual abuse and exploitation (OSAEC), citing key judicial reforms and strategic partnerships that strengthen the country’s legal framework for child protection.
Speaking at the SaferKidsPH Culminating Event held on June 3, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City, Chief Justice Gesmundo described SaferKidsPH as a “beacon of hope” and emphasized the importance of collective action to ensure that “every Filipino child grows up in a world where their safety, dignity, and potential are protected.”
The Chief Justice praised the initiative, a collaboration of the Australian Government, UNICEF, The Asia Foundation, and Save the Children Philippines, and reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s full support for its mission. “The SC will continue to hold the door open to a better tomorrow for every Filipino child,” he stated.
Gesmundo outlined several Supreme Court-led reforms:
- Implementation of the Family Courts Act IRR to streamline child-related case handling.
- Publication of the Family Court Bench Book to guide judges in child-sensitive rulings.
- Approval of the Rule on Family Mediation to promote restorative justice.
- Victim-Sensitive Guidelines through the Justice Sector Coordinating Council to ensure early access to services and trauma-sensitive legal processes.
