‘SC doing its job to cleanse ranks’

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) is doing its job to cleanse its ranks and will continue to do so under the incoming administration.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno gave this assurance yesterday in reaction to criticism from incoming president Rodrigo Duterte that judges were selling temporary restraining orders (TROs).

Sereno stressed that while the high court is aware of corruption in the judiciary, it has been “unrelenting” in cracking its whip on erring judges, court employees and lawyers.

“Whether there is a TRO or not, corruption is a problem in government… I can assure the public that we will not stop cleansing our ranks,” she told reporters during the SC’s 115th founding anniversary celebration yesterday.

Sereno cited regular decisions of the high court on administrative cases when it penalized judges, court personnel and lawyers involved in illegal practices. She said she makes sure administrative cases are included in weekly sessions of the justices.

“We’ve been faithful to our mission in that sense, so we welcome that he (Duterte) highlights corruption. But I can also assure the public that even if our president is quiet about corruption, the judiciary will still do its best to rid its ranks of corruption,” she said.

After winning the presidential poll last month, Duterte slammed the judiciary over TROs for sale by judges. He said he would send a representative to the SC to discuss the supposed problems caused by TROs on government projects.

Sereno said her office is always open for such discussion with Duterte’s team.

“We are ready to give an introduction or briefing of what we are doing. In fact, my office is always open for any of his trusted people to raise concerns with us and we will already tell them what we are doing in the front of corruption and what we are doing with respect to some concerns of judicial processes,” she bared.

The SC chief also reiterated her call for the public to submit evidence of corruption in courts to the high tribunal.

 “I want still evidence of corruption, because that is something we really need to make an example of. So, I hope the public is responsive because we will have a responsive Supreme Court. If we get enough basis, we will move,” she maintained.

Sereno said she expects the Duterte administration to support the continuation of judicial reforms initiated by the outgoing administration.

“I look forward to a Congress and a president who will be as supportive of judicial reform as this President and this Congress have been,” she said.

Asked about her comments on controversial policies of Duterte like the restoration of the death penalty, Sereno opted to take a “wait-and-see” stance.

“I think our leader is realistic enough to know that the legislative process must be undertaken before he can even implement death penalty by hanging. So, let’s see. Congress is soon to open, and the political will and the logic of such a move, those will be maybe evident in the months to come,” she explained.

“The judiciary is here to ensure that the constitutionally identified values of the people are upheld and so we will see in what way the objectives of the government within the parameters of the Constitution can be met, when, only when, a controversy is before us,” she said.