De Lima sees self as ‘rallying point’

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima admits that in terms of experience, Supreme Court insiders have an edge over her in the race to be the next Chief Justice, but the ally of President Benigno Aquino III said she could lend a “face” to the judiciary and help restore public trust in the Court.

On Monday, July 1, De Lima accepted her nomination for the highest post in the judiciary. She said that while she has limitations, such as lack of experience in drafting decisions and resolutions, she could serve as a “rallying point” who could help the Court regain its credibility. She noted that “infighting” and “division” bog down the High Court.

“There is a seeming disconnect between the judiciary and the needs of the people – someone should be a rallying point to restore the public trust and credibility in the institution,” she said. “I think I could lend that one, that face to the judiciary.”

De Lima added: “If ever, I like to see myself [in the] CJ nomination as a strong and hopefully acceptable alternative to the insiders.”

The justice secretary – one of the reported favored contenders of President Aquino – said she knows that she may not enjoy the confidence of SC justices, some of whom have had the chance to grill her during oral arguments before the Court. De Lima last faced the SC in 2011, when she defended her decision to defy the temporary restraining order issued by the High Court barring her from enforcing a travel ban on former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel ‘Mike’ Arroyo.

De Lima had stopped the Arroyos from leaving because they were being investigated for a case on electoral fraud. The SC issued a TRO in favor of the Arroyos in November 2011, but De Lima defied the order, saying there was no sufficient reason to let them go.

When reminded of her criticisms against the SC magistrates – even tagging them “Arroyo justices” – De Lima told reporters she gave those opinions in her capacity as a public official and as a private citizen. (All 14 justices are nominated for the post of chief justice.)

She wants to believe though that she “may be welcomed by the whole judiciary,” which includes the appellate and lower courts.  

De Lima said that even as SC insiders have sterling academic record and experience, she said her own background as former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, as a private lawyer (she specialized in election cases) and now as justice secretary also qualify her for the post.

De Lima is one of the more than 60 nominees and applicants to the post vacated by Chief Justice Renato Corona on May 29. De Lima testified against the dismissed chief justice in his impeachment trial, saying Corona helped ensure that the TRO sought by Arroyo will be enforced. Corona was eventually removed by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court for failing to declare P183 million in peso and dollar bank deposits in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

If appointed, De Lima would be the first woman to head the High Tribunal. Now only 52, she would be serving for 18 years following the mandatory retirement age of 70 for SC justices. – Rappler.com

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