Lawyer Romulo Macalintal lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to follow the long-standing tradition of “seniority” in appointing new Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro.
Macalintal is the head of the legal team representing Vice President Leni Robredo in the ongoing election protest between her and former Senator Bongbong Marcos.
In a statement, Macalintal claimed that “De Castro possesses all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications as provided for by the constitution” to become the new top magistrate.
“It is indeed very gratifying to learn from Malacañang that the appointment of Teresita De Castro as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court ‘was due to seniority rule’ in that President Duterte upheld judicial professionalism by appointing her being the most senior aspirant,” he said.
Paving the way for Carpio
Macalintal said De Castro’s appointment could pave the way for Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the most senior member of the Supreme Court, to be Chief Justice.
Macalintal said Carpio declined his “automatic nomination as Chief Justice on a very valid ground – delicadeza.”
“Now that the vacancy for Chief Justice position will be created by the retirement of De Castro in October 2018, Carpio may no longer decline his automatic nomination to the top judicial post since the issue of delicadeza no longer exists as said vacancy will be caused by De Castro’s retirement and not necessarily by Sereno’s removal,” the election lawyer said.
Carpio said he “did not want to benefit from Sereno’s ouster which he opposed by dissenting from the majority ruling.”
‘Reward’ for unseating Sereno?
Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman claimed that the appointment of De Castro was President Duterte’s “reward” for her “starring role” in unseating former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was kicked out of the high court after Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto plea was granted.
Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano also issued a statement saying he believed the appointment was the President’s incentive for De Castro.
However, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque rejected the claims as “nonsense,” stressing that De Castro was appointed based on “judicial professionalism.”
De Castro’s tenure would only last for 44 days or until her retirement in October.
/vvp