Bersamin on Duterte: ‘I preferred another candidate in 2016’

“During the campaign for the election of the President, I preferred another candidate,” newly appointed Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said Wednesday when asked about his relationship with President Rodrigo Duterte.

The new Chief Justice, however, did not give details on who his preferred candidate was or if he changed his mind when he voted.

https://www.facebook.com/inquirerdotnet/videos/2191204934434951/

He said his closeness to the President was about a few meters away when he attended the oathtaking of then Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro.

“Many probably will not believe that I do not know the President. Honestly, I do not know him and he does not know me also,” Bersamin told reporters at a press conference.

“I do not even know any of the families of the President. I can tell you that without batting an eyelash and I come from the north, the President comes from the South,” he said.

He said that the only time he saw the President up close was during the oathtaking of De Castro in Malacañang.

“We never had a conversation,” he said, adding that he only joined the chief justice race because he was ranked third among the SC justices. He did not expect to be chosen.

When he learned of his appointment Tuesday evening through text messages congratulating him, he said his reply was ‘sana totoo’ (I wish it’s true.)” /ee