Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s (SC) commitment to protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation (OSAEC), highlighting key judicial reforms and partnerships aimed at building a safer digital and legal environment for Filipino children.
In his keynote speech at the SaferKidsPH Culminating Event on June 3, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel, Makati, Chief Justice Gesmundo emphasized the SC’s active role in the fight against OSAEC through its collaboration with SaferKidsPH, an Australian Government initiative delivered through the consortium made up of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), The Asia Foundation, and Save the Children Philippines.
Describing SaferKidsPH as a “beacon of hope” in the campaign against OSAEC, the Chief Justice urged continued action to ensure that “every Filipino child grows up in a world where their safety, dignity, and potential are protected.” He added that the SC will continue to “hold the door open to a better tomorrow for every Filipino child.”
The Chief Justice highlighted how the SC has worked diligently to strengthen the judicial framework for child protection. It issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Social Aspects of the Family Courts Act, which guides courts in handling child-related cases with sensitivity and efficiency. It also published the Bench Book for Family Courts, a comprehensive resource to help judges make child-centered decisions.
The SC En Banc recently approved the Rule on Family Mediation, which promotes restorative justice and family unity. It also institutionalized, through the Justice Sector Coordinating Council, the Victim-Sensitive Guidelines to shield victims, especially children, from further trauma and ensure early access to social services. “The Guidelines provides a more systematic access to social services by the victims as soon as their needs arise, even pre-litigation,” the Chief Justice noted.
He further highlighted the establishment of the first ever Anti-OSAEC TriCity Justice Zone in Cagayan de Oro City, Ozamis City, and Iligan City, to focus on addressing the urgent and pervasive problem of OSAEC in the Philippines, with a second zone in Region VIII underway. These complement the existing Anti-Human Trafficking Justice Zone in Zamboanga City.
All these align with the SC’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), which emphasizes accessible, efficient, and inclusive justice. “A key pillar of this plan is enhancing judicial processes for vulnerable populations, particularly children, through technology and innovative practices,” he said. Thus, the SPJI adopts technology to streamline case management and ensure timely resolution of cases involving vulnerable children.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s (SC) commitment to protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation (OSAEC) at the Pagdiriwang ng mga Tagumpay ng SaferKidsPH Culminating Event on June 3, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel, Makati. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
While celebrating these milestones, Chief Justice Gesmundo acknowledged that more work lies ahead. “As we celebrate these achievements, we recognize that our work is far from complete. The event today, involving the Department of Justice, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Council for the Welfare of Children, among other organizations, symbolizes our collective resolve to sustain and expand the impact of SaferKidsPH. The Supreme Court remains steadfast in its commitment to this cause, collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure that every child is protected from harm, both in the digital realm and beyond.”
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo (seventh from left) joins Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines, Her Excellency Hae Kyong Yu (eighth from left); Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary for International Affairs Emmeline Aglipay Villar (fifth from right); UNICEF Representative Behzad Noubary (seventh from right); The Asia Foundation Country Representative Sam Chittick (sixth from left); and other representatives from national and local government leaders, civil society organizations, private representatives, youth leaders, and child protection advocates at the Pagdiriwang ng mga Tagumpay ng SaferKidsPH Culminating Event on June 3, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel, Makati. (Photo courtesy of the Supreme Court Communications Office)
Joining the Chief Justice were the Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines, Her Excellency Hae Kyong Yu; DSWD Undersecretary for International Affairs Emmeline Aglipay Villar; Department of Justice National Coordinating Center Against OSAEC Executive Director Barbara Mae Flores; UNICEF Representative Behzad Noubary; and The Asia Foundation Country Representative Sam Chittick.
The event, titled Pagdiriwang ng mga Tagumpay ng SaferKidsPH, brought together national and local government leaders, civil society organizations, private representatives, youth leaders, and child protection advocates. It marked the culmination of the SaferKidsPH program’s six-year journey toward building a safer and more secure future for every child. (Press release courtesy of the SC Office of Spokesperson)
Originally published by the Supreme Court Public Information Office.