(Eagle News)—President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, Aug. 27, defended his appointment of Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita de Castro as Chief Justice.
“Kung sino ‘yung nauna pumasok, siya ‘yung unang ma-promote and that would go for everybody,” Duterte told reporters at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
According to Duterte, “I am not familiar with) any of them actually.”
“Wala akong kilalang justice na ‘yung personal. Truthfully, I have not talked to anyone there. Wala akong kilala. They are all strangers to me,” he said.
Several opposition lawmakers slammed De Castro’s appointment, saying it was a reward for her role in the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice.
But the Palace denied this, saying Duterte upheld judicial professionalism in appointing De Castro, the most senior of those included by the Judicial and Bar Council in its shortlist submitted to Duterte.
The shortlist included Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin and Diosdado Peralta.