THE Supreme Court yesterday announced that it is now accepting applicants for chief marshal and three deputy marshals.
The move is part of the High Court’s organization of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals (OJM) under the passage of Republic Act 11691 or the Judiciary Marshals Act.
Under the law, which took effect last year, the OJM “shall be primarily responsible for the security, safety, and protection of the members, officials, personnel, and property of the Judiciary, including the integrity of the courts and judicial proceedings.
Earlier, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said ensuring and enhancing the safety and security of the members of the Judiciary are crucial to preserving its independence.
To qualify for chief marshal, who will serve as the head of the Office of Judiciary Marshals, applicants must be natural-born Filipinos, preferably a member of the Philippine Bar, must have a rank of at least a full colonel in the Armed Forces or the PNP, or assistant director in the National Bureau of the Investigation.
The High Court also set the same qualifications for the position of deputy marshal, except for membership in the Philippine Bar.
The three deputy marshals will be stationed in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Last year, the SC said the OJM would also look into the unsolved killings 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 P50 million budget for the OJM’s operations.
