Manila: Chief Justice Teresita de Castro said she aims to make a difference despite her short term of less than two months as head of the judicial branch of government.
De Castro, who will be turning 70 on October 8, was given her appointment papers from President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday. She is expected to formally take her oath of office on Friday.
She will formally assume the post of Supreme Court Chief Justice, which was vacated by Maria Lourdes Sereno several months ago amid allegations that she lied in her net worth declaration that was contained in an impeachment complaint filed against her.
Upon reaching the age of 70 October 8, would be formally retiring from her post making her the shortest serving Supreme Court Chief Justice in the country’s history.
De Castro said she does not mind serving a short term as her appointment as Apex Court head is just a formality to cap off her decades of serving with the judicial branch.
Duterte said the decision was proper as she was the most senior among the Supreme Court’s 15 Justices.
“The seniority rule will apply to all the justices and not just de Castro, unless of course they refuse or maybe they would opt to retire. It’s the same rule as with the military,” he added.
Supreme Court Chief Justice appointments had been mired in controversy in recent years.
Nomination to the office largely rests on the hands of the President and since the appointment of the late Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona in early 2010, the post had been largely a political appointment.
Corona was then seen to have close ties with former President Gloria Arroyo, who appointed him to the post at the end of her term.
Corona was ousted in 2011 and replaced by Sereno who was appointed by then President Benigno Aquino III.
Sereno, in turn was ousted during the administration of Duterte.
De Castro said that with her appointment, Supreme Court will finally shed its image of being indebted the presidency and a political post.
