Newly appointed Chief Justice Rodil V. Zalameda formally took his oath of office as the 28th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines on Friday, November 6, 2026.
The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen at the Supreme Court En Banc Session Hall in Manila.
Zalameda succeeds Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, who retired on the same day upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
During the ceremony, Gesmundo also formally handed over the Supreme Court's gavel to Zalameda, symbolizing the transfer of leadership of the country's highest court.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Supreme Court, including Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Ramon Paul Hernando, Amy Lazaro-Javier, Henri Jean Paul Inting, Samuel Gaerlan, Ricardo Rosario, Jhosep Lopez, Japar Dimaampao, Jose Midas Marquez, Antonio Kho Jr., Maria Filomena Singh, and Raul Villanueva.
Zalameda brings more than three decades of experience in public service and the Judiciary. He previously served as a public prosecutor, Court of Appeals Associate Justice for 11 years, and Supreme Court Associate Justice after his appointment in 2019.
Throughout his tenure at the High Court, he handled matters involving judicial administration, procedural reforms, court security, and access to justice.
