Sereno hopes gov’t will help address problems in judiciary

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Despite absence of any mention about the judiciary during President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said she remains hopeful that the government will also help address problems in the judiciary.

Sereno attended Aquino’s fourth SONA, her first after she was appointed Chief Justice last August 2012.

“We have heavily clogged court dockets that contribute to the delay in litigation,” Sereno said after the speech.

She said clogged dockets are one of the major causes of turtle-pace justice system in the country.

“We hope to get enough support from Congress,” Sereno said.

The judiciary is looking for a higher appropriation compared to the P17.7 billion it got last year.

For 2014, the government’s budget ceiling for the judiciary is P17.8 billion.

Sereno wore a purple Filipiniana gown which she said was the official color of the judiciary.