THE Supreme Court yesterday said it is inching closer to finalizing the 2025 Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability, which includes a first-of-its-kind provision on behavior on social media.
Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh led the final write shop for the Code last March 26 and 27.
The write shop, according to the SC, is the “final stage of drafting before the Code is presented to the SC En Banc for review.”
The Code is a product of the broader campaign by the High Court for ethical responsibility outlined in the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 under the target outcome of efficiency.
The Code is the cornerstone of the Integrity Initiative of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who, upon his assumption as the 27th Chief Justice, vowed to make integrity a pillar of his tenure, and the constitutional requirements of competence, integrity, probity, and independence the hallmark of every court in the country.
The SC said the final write shop incorporated clarifications, changes, and suggestions based on discussions during the 2024 National Ethics Caravan, which took place in Lipa, Davao, Bacolod, General Santos City, and Manila.
“In addition to these revisions, the Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability includes new rules on the use of gender-fair language, conduct on social media, and the prohibition against judges accepting gifts, among other updated provisions,” it said.
Upon the approval of the En Banc, it will be formally launched and rolled out by mid-2025.
The drafting and the finalization of the Code are being supported by the European Union through the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) II Programme.
