Bersamin asserts judicial independence as new chief justice
MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday asserted judicial independence as he takes the helm of the Judiciary.
Bersamin, after taking oath before Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio at the SC, faced the members of the press for the first time as the head of the Judiciary.
The chief justice, who has been a part of the 15-member Court since April 2009, said that he has always given “analytical attention and deep study” when voting or rendering judgment.
Among the most high profile cases with ponencia or main decision written by Bersamin include the granting of bail to former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Arroyo appointed Bersamin to the high court as an associate justice.
“Maybe your concept of judicial independence is that the government should lose the case. I hate to disappoint you. The government is often better in the arguments than the other side,” Bersamin said.
“The government is represented by the solicitor general when it comes to issues raised in the Court of Appeals or in the SC and there are also many cases where the government loses and yet you do not call out independent,” the chief justice pointed out.
“It’s just the government has less on the merits than the other side,” he added.
“As far as the law is concerned, I am independent,” Bersamin stressed.
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