Bohol lawyers believe Sereno is independent

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines  – Some Bohol lawyers believed that newly-installed Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal Sereno “can’t be influenced,” said lawyer Roland Inting of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in a radio interview.

Asked if Sereno could be swayed or influenced by President Aquino III, who appointed and sworn in her last week, Inting said “I hope she is aware of that,” he told DyTR’s Cuentas Claras program hosted by Sunday Post publisher Boy Guingguing and Ted Ayeng yesterday (Aug. 27, 2012).

Sereno, like IBP national president Roan Libarios, has Boholano roots, is “very independent and very religiou,” said Inting, citing dissenting opinion against Malacañang’s proposal to postpone the scheduled election of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The appointment of Sereno is a welcome development to institute changes in the Supreme Court and “we were not caught by surprise,” Inting said, as he was proud of the two Boholano lawyers, Jordan Pizarras and Fidel Borja, who nominated Sereno to the position.

Inting said Sereno has vowed for transparency by publishing the SC’s transactions, and her declaration that the rules of court should not be so strict against the poor.

Sereno has Boholano roots and that her maiden name Aranal are many in Dauis town, about three kilometers from this city, said Inting.