(Eagle News)—Several lawmakers who are also known critics of President Rodrigo Duterte questioned on Saturday, Aug. 25, his pick for the Chief Justice post.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman in a statement said Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita de Castro’s appointment was her “reward” for her “starring role” in the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice.
De Castro was among seven SC justices who voted to grant Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition that sought to nullify Sereno’s appointment for alleged lack of integrity.
All seven justices, including the new Chief Justice, are facing impeachment complaints filed by Lagman’s group for their votes.
ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio agreed, saying Duterte was “motivated by short-term political interests rather than any intention to strengthen the credibility and independence of the Supreme Court” with his decision.
Like Tinio, Lagman noted the “very short period of incumbency” of De Castro, who is slated to reach the mandatory age of retirement for justices in October.
Lagman said as such, it is “humanly impossible for her to accomplish wonders or anything of substance in the Supreme Court.”
“De Castro should have seriously considered declining her nomination and refusing her impending appointment as chief justice of the Supreme Court considering the seriousness of the impeachment complaint against her for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust,” he said.
For Akbayan Partylist President Machris Cabreros, De Castro’s “next mission could be putting the Marcoses back in power by favoring Bongbong Marcos’ sham electoral protest.”
Cabreros said De Castro, the “Mischief Justice” is “capable of enabling the whims of the dictator.”