SC justice says she has no grudge vs Sereno

MANILA, Philippines - Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro and Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno are in good terms despite reports of a rift between the two justices.

In a chance interview with reporters during the launch of the electronic court (eCourt) system in Quezon City Friday, De Castro said she has no personal grudge against Sereno and that she was just doing her job as an SC magistrate.

“There’s nothing personal. It’s just work,” De Castro said when asked about their recent clash over the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the disqualification case of the Senior Citizens party-list.

“We’re okay. We see each other every session,” De Castro said.

The Chief Justice kissed De Castro when she arrived for the event at the Quezon City Hall of Justice. The two, who were seated next to each other, were seen exchanging pleasantries during the program.

Sereno and De Castro acknowledged each other during their speeches and made no mention of their supposed rift.

During the 112th founding anniversary of the high court last Tuesday, Sereno renewed her call for unity in the judiciary days after the justices superseded her TRO on the disqualification case.

Only Associate Justices Marvic Leonen, Mariano del Castillo, Jose Perez, Bienvenido Reyes and Estela Perlas-Bernabe attended the anniversary.

In December last year, Sereno and De Castro had a clash after the former unilaterally issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 175 that created the new Judiciary Decentralized Office and reopened the Regional Trial Court Administration Office in Cebu City.

De Castro contested Sereno’s order, saying such action needs collegial approval of the high court as required by rules. The SC also superseded the Chief Justice’s AO and decided to first conduct an assessment of decentralization.

eCourt system

Sereno, De Castro as well as court administrator Jose Midas Marquez expressed gratitude to Quezon City judges and court employees for participating in the pilot project.

De Castro is the chair of the SC Committee on Computerization and Library.        – With Edu Punay