The Supreme Court building in Manila. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senior Justices of the Supreme Court were again absent at Monday’s flag ceremony.
Aside from Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, only Associate Justices Mariano Del Castillo, Martin Villarama Jr., Jose Mendoza and Bienvenido Reyes were present.
Sereno is the first lady Chief Justice of the Philippines. Her appointment was marred by her reported low score on her psychiatric and psychological exam.
Her objectivity is also being questioned after she supported a higher compensation for the Cojuangcos in the Hacienda Luisita case.
Last week, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio asked Sereno to inhibit from handling the petition of Jose Miguel Arroyo.
In their motion, Topacio, together with lawyer Joselito Lomangaya said Sereno has “the propensity… to vote blindly and consistently in favor of the present administration.”