Supreme Court Justice Lourdes Sereno. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – For Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, leadership “is to uphold the truth . . . to be exercised in favour of the weak . . . to uphold the rule of law in a way that shows no favouritism for the privilege”.
Sereno’s statement was part of a speech she made before a forum at the IBP Building in Pasig City Friday as one of the 22 aspirants for chief justice.
Of the 22, 10 candidates, including Sereno, were present to share their judicial philosophies and reforms ahead of the selection process by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) scheduled to start next week.
“My leadership is to uphold the truth…it is to be exercised in favor of those who are weak…it is to uphold the rule of law in a way that shows no favoritism for the privileged,” said Sereno.
Sereno said she was willing to be measured by the “degree of sacrifice I make, by what I am willing to give up.”
“No friend of mine, including the IBP president, gained anything from my appointment, for the thought that I will not let the country down,” Sereno said, adding that she will resolve dispute with an “even hand.”
As of posting time, Presidential Commission on Good Government Chairman Andres Bautista is delivering his speech.