De Castro: My testimony is not ruled by emotions
Associate Justice Teresita De Castro on Tuesday said that a person ruled by emotions has no place in the Supreme Court. She stressed that her testimony at the impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is not brought about by her emotions. Supreme Court photos
MANILA, Philippines — Associate Justice Teresita De Castro asserted that she did not involve her emotions in her testimony in the ongoing impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
De Castro appeared as a resource speaker at the House of Representatives Committee on Justice as the body continues to examine the impeachment rap filed by lawyer Larry Gadon against Sereno.
De Castro said that being a member of the Philippine high court does not afford her to be ruled by her emotions.
"Your honor, matagal na po akong justice, dalawampung taon na po. Wala pong karapatan ang isang tao na maging justice kung affected ng emotions. 'Yaan po ang isang bagay na hindi ko pina-iiral sa akin, kasi ho kung ganyan ako, na puro emosyon, puro feelings, dapat ho umalis ako sa husgado," she told the house panel.
READ: SC allows justices to testify vs Sereno
This was the justice's answer to the question by Rep. Ramon Rocamora (Suquijor) on how she felt when Sereno, who is her junior in the Supreme Court, was appointed to the chief justice position.
Rocamora's question earned a remark from Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas (Ilocos Norte, 1st District), that De Castro's presence before them is "unprecedented."
Fariñas warned Rocamora to not ask "irrelevant questions," and "give her the respect owing to the office."
De Castro manifested that she wants to answer the solon's question.
READ: Sereno challenges De Castro: Choose your legacy
Chief justice appointment
The justice also said she was not affected by the appointment of Sereno to lead the SC.
"Kaya ho itong pag-appoint kay Sere- Chief Justice Sereno, ano po ang magagawa ko (So, this appointment to chief justice of Sereno, what else could I do), the president appointed her. She was nominated by the [Judicial and Bar Council], what should I do?"
De Castro was among the shortlisted candidates for the chief justice position in August 2012. Former President Benigno Aquino III picked Sereno, who is junior to De Castro and others also on the shortlist, to lead the 15-member court.
De Castro added: "Kaya ho siguro, ang dapat ho, tignan niyo ang aking ginawa, kung merong basehan, 'pag wala hong dahilan, dun niyo po sabihin na itong aking mga ginawa ay doon lang sa aking emotion (Maybe, what the panel should do is to look at what I did and if it had basis. If there is no basis, then that's only when you can say that I was ruled by my emotions)."
The justice stressed: "I cannot stand idly when the power of the Supreme Court, the collegial authority of the Supreme Court under the Constitution, is being undermined... I should speak up."
De Castro was invited by the House panel to shed light on the allegations by Gadon against Sereno.
Gadon, a vocal supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, claimed that Sereno committed high crimes and corruption, violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.
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