Sereno CJ appointment: ‘Wait and see’

MANILA, Philippines – The appointment of Ma Lourdes Sereno — the first woman chief justice and the youngest at 52 — was met with mixed reactions Friday, August 24. Many said whether or not she will be able to push reforms in a politicized Supreme Court remains to be seen.

While Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Viña said she was an “excellent choice,” others warned she would face resistance from Supreme Court insiders and may be given a difficult time. 

La Viña was one of Sereno’s students in the University of the Philippines College of Law. He had described Sereno as strong and independent-minded.

“Sana insider, huwag lang si Sereno (Hopefully an insider, except Sereno),” former and present justices in the High Court told informed sources. The justices described her as “not realistic” and not too communicative with them.

Said to be “acceptable” to most members of the ruling Liberal Party, Sereno is also perceived to be an ally of Justice Antonio Carpio, the most senior among the justices.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr of the Liberal Party said Sereno is “a good choice. A new face yet an insider with a reputation for competence and independence. She will prove to be an effective leader of the Judiciary.”

Sen Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan welcomed her appointment as the 24th Chief Justice of the High Tribunal.

“We hope her relative youth and her passion and dynamism will invigorate the moribund and antiquated system of justice in the country. Nothing less than sweeping and comprehensive reforms will do to ensure that the crisis facing the judiciary will be overcome, and we will need the energy, creativity and stamina of a new generation of jurists to do just that,” he said in a statement.

Lawyer Mario Bautista, who served as lead private prosecutor in the impeachment trial of former chief justice Renato Corona, said, “The new chief justice has been appointed by the President from the nominees of the JBC in accordance with the Constitution. We should now rally behind the new chief justice and give her our full support.”

Lorenzo Tañada III, former impeachment prosecutor, said, “I trust PNoy with his choice. It is a good choice. There will be stability in the SC for at least 18 years and true reforms may be implemented.”

Another private prosecutor, Jose Justiniano, said Sereno is a “good choice” and that “she deserves the position.” He added, “Her integrity is very important more than her age and court experience.”

Reforms

Other private lawyers acknowledged she is “honest and competent,” but that she also “seems to be under Carpio’s influence.”

“I’m hoping she will grow into the role and become an independent chief justice,” said a private lawyer who also teaches at the UP College of Law.

Sereno’s effectiveness in instituting reforms in an institution seen to be heavily politicized will be measured by how the majority of the male-dominated High Court will “react to her.” The number of justices who will attend her oath-taking Saturday morning, August 25, will be one indication of how her appointment is being received.

She will be serving as chief justice for 18 years until she retires at age 70.

Bautista said “the chief justice cannot reform the judiciary on her own. All of us, especially those involved in the judicial system, should do our share. We should fully support her.”

Vincent Lazatin, executive director of the Transparency and Accountability Network, said he was “surprised” by the President’s choice. “I thought he would go with more experience. But this President has shown a willingness to go against conventional wisdom. There is concern about a Chief Justice that will be in place for 18 years. Good if she leads reforms and brings back credibility. Bad if she doesn’t. Right now, wait and see.”

President Benigno Aquino III interviewed 6 nominees in the shortlist submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council, among them SC justices Carpio, Sereno, Arturo Brion, Teresita de Castro, and Roberto Abad. He also interviewed Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, and opted to exclude outsiders Cesar Villanueva, former dean of the Ateneo Law School, and former executive secretary and San Juan Rep Ronaldo Zamora.

The interviews lasted for about 30 minutes and focused on the judges’ previous decisions and votes on important cases. – Rappler.com

 

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• 22 official candidates for Chief Justice
• JBC to interview CJ candidates starting July 24
• 25 accept nominations for chief justice
• Questions for chief justice candidates
• JBC should review process of choosing CJ
• Besides JBC, Palace has judicial search committee
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