In a small, neighborhood bakery, surrounded by friends from her childhood and media eager for a soundbite, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno repeatedly emphasized that it’s the poor who are “very sensitive to injustice” and that it’s the poor that injustice hits the most.

“I was thinking – if bread is too important to our people, if the need for bread is a heartfelt need, what more justice? It’s not enough to eat, that your stomach is full. Your soul will not be fulfilled if you are not given justice,” said Sereno during a media forum at the Kamuning Bakery on Monday, October 16.

Dressed more casually than usual, the 52-year-old became nostalgic about her childhood, remembering her growing up years in Kamuning with her family. Sereno and her family rented an apartment in the area until they eventually moved out decades later.

The Chief Justice graduated from the nearby Kamuning Elementary School and Quezon City High School.

Sereno had earlier shared that when she was younger, her friends would monitor the size of the humble pandesal as an indicator of whether times were hard or easy. A smaller-sized pandesal meant ingredients were harder to come by.

It was a media forum that was clearly meant to be light, a means to highlight Sereno’s more “human” side amid the threat of an impeachment case pending before the House of Representatives. She did not grant media interviews after but instead, spoke at length about her background and what she’s learned because of that background.

“My classmates, my friends from Kamuning can best tell me and my colleagues at the Supreme Court about the injustices they see in their day-to-day,” said Sereno. Her high school teacher, brother, and batchmates from school were among those in the audience.

While not naming President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war in particular, Sereno explained that for “every injustice” done to a poor family’s breadwinner, 5 lives are “destroyed.”

She said the death or the mistaken arrest of a family’s breadwinner – typically, the father – ruins not only his life but that of his wife and children. (READ: Children in Duterte’s bloody war on drugs)

“There are a few things in life that are very important. And one of them is justice,” she said.

“We are all aware of the problems of justice, we can tell people what justice means to the ordinary people and we can help monitor and track the reform programs of the justice sector. Justice should come fully alive to the Filipino people,” she added.

For the poor 

In recent public speeches, justice for all – particularly the marginalized – has been a recurring theme for Sereno. (READ: Through ‘Ka Pepe,’ Sereno reflects on human rights in PH)

Her speeches come amid outcry over killings linked to Duterte’s war on drugs.

Sereno herself had earlier expressed concern over the way the drug war has thus far been implemented, particularly when Duterte released an error-filled list of politicians, police, and members of the judiciary allegedly linked to illegal drugs.

Back in 2016, Duterte took offense with Sereno’s letter on the so-called “narco list.”

Since the drug war began, police have been accused of resorting to extralegal means just to meet their goals. Over 3,800 drug suspects have been killed in drug operations, supposedly because they fought back (nanlaban). Tens of thousands have been put behind bars while millions of alleged drug personalities have “surrendered” to police and local authorities.

Critics have decried the lack of due process, particularly in the deaths of drug suspects. There have also been cases, such as in the death of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, where probes indicated wrongdoing on the part of police.

Sereno faces an impeachment complaint before the House justice committee. It has thus far deemed the complaint sufficient in form, substance, and grounds. Come November 2017, it will decide on whether there is probable cause to pursue the complaint.

Winnie Salumbides, one of Sereno’s spokespersons, said preparations for the coming justice committee hearing are still underway. Her team of lawyers want to be able to cross-examine the witnesses who will be presented against her.

Thus far, however, ruling members of the House – including House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and justice committee chairman Reynaldo Umali – are of the opinion that only Sereno herself can conduct the cross-examination.

Salumbides added that they are still open to the idea of Sereno herself appearing before the committee, so long as there is no intention to undermine her.

Recent surveys showed a dip in Sereno’s satisfaction ratings from June 2017 to September 2017.

Salumbides brushed this off, pointing out that Sereno is not an elected official and does not have plans of running for an elective post. The lawmakers – at the committee level and, should she be impeached by the House, at the Senate sitting as an impeachment court – are elected officials who may have plans of re-election in 2019.

“[The senators] are more concerned with their own trust and approval ratings,” said Salumbides.

Sereno is set to retire in 2030 yet, when she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65. – Rappler.com