De Lima’s confidence not from President Aquino, says Valte

Manila, Philippines—Malacañang has expressed doubts that the confidence exuded by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in her chances to get the Chief Justice post came from President Benigno Aquino III, a Radyo Inquirer report said Wednesday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

In the report, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte was quoted as saying that it was possible that De Lima’s confidence came from her qualifications and experiences.

De Lima was the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights before she became Justice Secretary.

The report said the palace had no comments on speculations saying that De Lima’s disobedience to Aquino’s preference for her to maintain the DOJ post might affect her chances to be chosen as Chief Justice.