Zalameda pledges faster courts and better staff benefits if named chief justice

In a public interview with the Judicial and Bar Council, Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda presented a platform focused on staff welfare and judicial efficiency ahead of his possible appointment as the Philippines' 28th chief justice. He proposed constructing additional courthouses, leveraging technology to streamline procedures, and allocating cases to judges according to complexity rather than sheer volume. Zalameda called for a study to close the allowance disparity that currently favors appellate court workers over trial-court staff.

Emphasising collegiality, he said the Supreme Court should maintain respectful debate while fostering public trust through transparency and anti-corruption measures. He described his judicial outlook as legal pragmatism, aiming for decisions that produce real-world impact. The Judicial and Bar Council will forward a shortlist of candidates, including Zalameda, to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for final selection.