BARMM Chief Minister Macacua has congratulated Zalameda on becoming the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, according to Inquirer.net. The message was reported on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
The appointment itself was made by President Marcos, Philstar.com reports. Zalameda takes over the top judicial post following the retirement of Chief Justice Gesmundo, whose tenure the Philippine News Agency describes as leaving a legacy of modernization and ethical standards.
The congratulatory message from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao adds a regional voice to the transition at the country's highest court. Coverage of the change has also included commentary on the selection process, with Rappler publishing a piece on the next chief justice and the Daily Tribune running a critical column concerning Leonen.
What to watch next: how the new Chief Justice sets priorities for the court, and whether other regional officials follow Macacua in publicly welcoming the appointment.
