Bersamin takes oath as new Chief Justice 

President Rodrigo Duterte (left) administers the oath of new Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin in Malacañang on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2018. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / ACE MORANTE

MANILA, Philippines – Newly-appointed Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin took his oath before President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on Tuesday.

Bersamin was accompanied by his family at the Heroes Hall.

Duterte appointed Bersamin to replace former chief justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, who retired on October 8.

Aside from Bersamin, Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando and Associate Justice Rosmari Carandang also took their oaths of office on Tuesday.

After their oath taking, Duterte led the oath taking of 49 newly appointed government officials, which include former LTFRB board member and now Civil Service Commissioner Aileen Lourdes Abella Lizada, former PTV-4 head for news operations and now Communications Undersecretary Raquel “Rocky” Tobias, National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convener Noel Kinazo Felongco, and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Chairman Alvin San Juan Feliciano.

In his message to the officials, Duterte said, “My only message to you is that we are all workers of government and so let us work to preserve the nation and to protect the people.” /cbb