Judges, Negros Occ execs welcome Sereno

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Judges Association (PJA) and Negros Occidental officials welcomed President Aquino’s appointment of associate justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as the 24th chief justice of the Supreme Court (SC).

PJA national president and Bacolod Regional Trial Court Judge Franklin Demonteverde said in a text message to The Freeman: “We congratulate CJ Sereno on her appointment. We wish her the best of everything and we pray that with her at the helm of the SC, the independence of the judiciary can well be strengthened.”

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., for his part, said, “I don’t personally know CJ Sereno but I’m sure she must be good because she is the choice of President Aquino. She will surely make improvements and innovations in the judiciary in the years to come as she will be our CJ for the next 18 years.”

Representative Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district, Neg. Occ.), said: “I welcome the appointment of Justice Sereno as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. With her proven identity, I am confident that genuine reforms in our justice system are near to come.”

Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito, a lawyer, said, “CJ Sereno is making history to be the first woman CJ of the Philippines. I am hoping that she will be successful in instituting reforms in the SC, and she will be a uniting CJ to the divided judiciary.”

At 52, Sereno is the second youngest chief magistrate after Manuel Moran, who was appointed at 51.

Sereno is slated to become the second longest serving chief magistrate – for 18 years, or until she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Pre-war chief justice Cayetano Arellano served for 18 years and 10 months. — THE FREEMAN