Sereno’s independence questioned

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A militant group has expressed doubts on the independence of newly instated Chief Justice (CJ) Maria Lourdes Sereno saying her “ties to the Aquino administration cannot simply be ignored.”

“While Sereno has made history by being the first ever female Chief Justice and with possibly the second longest term, there are valid questions as to her independence from Malacanang,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. said in a statement.

“If former CJ Corona’s voting record was cited as proof of his partiality towards Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the same will be done to Sereno. Her voting record will serve as an indicator of her independence from the Palace,” he added.

Bayan said that Sereno voted in favor of land distribution of the Hacienda Luisita, which is owned by President Benigno Aquino III’s family. He said however that she dissented on the issue of land value and wanted a higher valuation to be paid by the government to the Aquino family.

The land value issue, which will be decided by the Department of Agrarian Reform and a Regional Trial Court, could still be raised to the supreme court, which has a chief justice that was liked by the current administration, Bayan said.

“The issue of land valuation can still be elevated to the Supreme Court, especially if the Cojuangco-Aquino’s do not get their way at the RTC. The difference now is that the sitting SC Chief Justice has a position more to the liking of the Luisita landlords,” Reyes said.

“It is therefore imperative that the public and the farmers remain vigilant,” he added.

Reyes said that the Chief Justice will have a full plate with the many issues that could face the Supreme Court such as the moves to change the economic provisions of the Constitution, the redeployment of US troops, warships, and facilities in the Philippines, and the new mining policy of Aquino.

“It remains to be seen how she will lead the SC in tackling these issues if ever they are brought to the high court,” Reyes said.