(Eagle News) — Senator Franklin Drilon on Tuesday, Aug. 28, urged newly-appointed Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro to inhibit herself from “politically charged cases” brought before the Supreme Court.
In a statement, he said this was “to uphold the integrity of the decision that the Supreme Court may make during her short tenure.”
“All questions, issues, and doubts surrounding (her) appointment…, particularly with regard to her impartiality, can only be addressed if the newly-appointed chief magistrate refrains from participating in any political case pending before the court,” Drilon said.
According to Drilon, he has known De Castro “for over two decades and I have known her to be a woman of intelligence and integrity.”
“Whether she can do as much, set a trend, or influence the Supreme Court, during her five weeks tenure as Chief Justice is something that is difficult to expect given such limitation. What else can she do within her term?” Drilon asked.
De Castro took her oath as the new Chief Justice on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
Several opposition lawmakers, however, slammed her appointment, saying it was a mere “reward” for her role in the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice.
President Rodrigo Duterte, however, denied this, saying he only chose the new Chief Justice based on seniority.
