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WHEREAS, on April 8, 2022, Republic Act No. 11691, otherwise known as the "Judiciary Marshals Act," was enacted, thereby creating the Office of the Judiciary Marshals;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 11691 provides, among others, that it is the declared policy of the State to ensure the safety and security of the members of the Judiciary, judicial personnel, and court assets, in order for the Judiciary to function independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and in preserving the rights and guarantees granted by the Constitution;

WHEREAS, Section 3 of Republic Act No. 11691 creates the Office of the Judiciary Marshals to 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 their proceedings;

WHEREAS, Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11691 provides that the Office of the Judiciary Marshals shall be headed by a Chief Marshal assisted by three Deputy Marshals who shall be respectively in charge of, assigned, and stationed in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao;

WHEREAS, Section 7 of Republic Act No. 11691, provides that the Chief Marshal must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, preferably a member of the Philippine Bar, and must have held the rank of at least a full Colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Philippine National Police (PNP) or an Assistant Director in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), with experience in investigation in all instances: provided, that a Chief Marshal may be appointed despite not having been a full Colonel in the AFP or the PNP or an Assistant Director in the NBI if he or she has a proven track record and adequate experience in investigation and law enforcement;

WHEREAS, under the Supreme Court Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, the operationalization of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals is one of the programs targeting the outcome of efficiency;

WHEREAS, on December 4, 2023, the Supreme Court opened the positions of the Chief Marshal and three Deputy Marshals. More than one hundred applicants for the four positions submitted their applications and other documentary requirements;

WHEREAS, from June to August 2024, the applicants for the four positions underwent neuro-psychological evaluation and medical examination. Thereafter, the Committee on Security of the Supreme Court evaluated the submissions of the applicants and chose the top candidates for each position;

WHEREAS, the application process for the position of the Chief Marshal concluded last January 28, 2025 when the top applicants for the position were interviewed by the Justices of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo; and

WHEREAS, after the application process for the position of the Chief Marshal, the Court is convinced that, apart from enjoying the qualifications under Republic Act No. 11691, Retired PNP Brigadier General Manuel R. Gaerlan possesses the expertise, skills, moral character, and physical and mental fitness necessary to effectively discharge the duties of the Chief Marshal.

Ret. Brig. Gen. Gaerlan's extensive experience in investigation and law enforcement is demonstrated by the key leadership roles he held within the PNP. Meanwhile, his impeccable skills and prowess in leading an organization are exemplified by his previous tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Clark Development Corporation. It is also worth noting that Ret. Brig. Gen. Gaerlan graduated summa cum laude and class valedictorian from the Philippine Military Academy.

ACCORDINGLY, the Court En Banc resolves to APPOINT RETIRED PNP BRIGADIER GENERAL MANUEL R. GAERLAN as the CHIEF MARSHAL of the OFFICE OF THE JUDICIARY MARSHALS. He shall discharge the duties of the said office until he reaches the age of 65, unless he sooner becomes incapacitated to discharge his duties or is dismissed or relieved for just cause or by a vote of no confidence by the Justices of the Supreme Court.

Upon receipt of a copy of this Resolution, Ret. Brig. Gen. Gaerlan is DIRECTED to REPORT IMMEDIATELY to and to TAKE HIS OATH OF OFFICE before the Chief Justice.

SO ORDERED."

(Sgd.) ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDO Chief Justice
(Sgd.) MARVIC M.V.F. LEONEN Senior Associate Justice	(Sgd.) ALFREDO BENJAMIN S. CAGUIOA Associate Justice
(Sgd.) RAMON PAUL L. HERNANDO Associate Justice	(Sgd.) AMY C. LAZARO-JAVIER Associate Justice
(Sgd.) HENRI JEAN PAUL B. INTING Associate Justice	(Sgd.) RODIL V. ZALAMEDA Associate Justice
(Sgd.) MARIO V. LOPEZ Associate Justice	(Sgd.) SAMUEL H. GAERLAN Associate Justice
(Sgd.) RICARDO R. ROSARIO Associate Justice	(Sgd.) JHOSEP Y. LOPEZ Associate Justice
(Sgd.) JAPAR B. DIMAAMPAO Associate Justice	(Sgd.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Associate Justice
(Sgd.) ANTONIO T. KHO, JR. Associate Justice	On leave but left a vote MARIA FILOMENA D. SINGH Associate Justice