THE Supreme Court en banc yesterday announced the appointment of retired Gen. Manuel Gaerlan as the first Chief Marshal of the Office of Judiciary Marshals (OJM).
The en banc said Gaerlan took his oath before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo at the SC session hall.
The OJM was created under Republic Act No. 11691, also known as the Judiciary Marshals Act, to address increasing threats against members of the judiciary.
“As Chief Marshal, Gen. Gaerlan will lead efforts to ensure the security of judges, court personnel, and judiciary properties across the country,” the SC said, adding he will be supported in his job by three Deputy Marshals assigned to Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
Gaerlan brings to his post over 30 years of experience in security, intelligence, investigation, and law enforcement.
A summa cum laude graduate and class valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1985, he started his career as a cadet in the Armed Forces, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant by 1988.
He transitioned to the PNP, serving for 27 years in various leadership roles, including chief of the Marikina City Police Station, division chief and Assistant Director for Operations of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and chief of the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Branch of the Cavite Provincial Police Office.
He also served for five years with the Presidential Security Group as Security Officer to the late President Fidel Ramos.
Gaerlan retired from the PNP in 2018 with the rank of Brig. General.
Beyond his law enforcement career, Gaerlan holds a master’s degree in management from the Asian Institute of Management, where he graduated with distinction.
He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Clark Development Corporation until 2022.
Before he was appointed Chief Marshal, he was the chair and chief finance officer of Prime Lift and Load Industries, Inc.
Gaerlan is among the 118 candidates who vied for the post of Chief Marshall and three Deputy Marshals.
From June to August 2024, the applicants underwent neuro-psychological evaluation, medical examination, and screening by the SC Committee on Security.
A shortlist of highly qualified candidates, including former and current high-ranking AFP, PNP, and National Bureau of Investigation officials, was interviewed by Gesmundo and SC Associate Justices on January 28 and February 6.
The SC previously said the OJM would also look into the unsolved killing of more than 30 judges since 1999.
The creation of the OJM, patterned after the US Marshal system, was the brainchild of retired Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta.
The SC has allotted an initial budget of P50 million for OJM’s operations.
