Newly appointed Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said he is independent “as far as the law is concerned.”
At a press conference, Bersamin said the question on independence is difficult because it depends on the perspective.
The common perspective, he said, is that being independent “is against the government.”
“That question is loaded against the government…As far as the law is concerned, I am independent,” Bersamin said.
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Bersamin said he has always been “analytical” when handling cases even before he became a magistrate of the Supreme Court.
“If your perspective of what is independent is against the government or any [members of the] administration that has issues in our court, let me assure you I have always given these matters analytical attention and deep study,” Bersamin said.
“When the time comes for me to give a vote or to render a judgment, I always do my best to come out with a fair and valid ruling,” Bersamin added. /ee/muf