(Eagle News)–The Palace on Sunday, Aug. 25, dismissed allegations Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita de Castro’s appointment as Chief Justice was a reward for her role in the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Magistrate.
“Wala pong saysay ‘yan,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
According to Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte, who picked the new Chief Justice from a shortlist provided by the Judicial and Bar Council, “upheld judicial professionalism by appointing most senior of aspirants.”
Also included in the shortlist were Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin and Diosdado Peralta.
It was Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano and several leftist lawmakers who slammed De Castro’s appointment as Chief Justice, saying it was her reward for ousting Sereno.
De Castro was among seven justices who voted to nullify Sereno’s appointment as Chief Justice, noting her alleged lack of integrity for failing to submit her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth when she was teaching law at the University of the Philippines.
Lagman has filed impeachment complaints against the seven for their votes to oust Sereno.
