What Sereno looks for in the next president?

CHIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is hoping that the next president should observe the constitutional designs for checks and balances.

“The next President [should observe] the constitutional design for the checks and balances for an accountable government,” Sereno, who celebrated her 55th birthday Thursday, said.

Sereno, the first female chief justice, will become the second longest-serving chief justice. First was Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano.

Sereno will remain chief justice for next to two more Presidents.

“If we only had the COA (Commission on Audit) that had been consistently doing its job from the first time it was created and Ombudsman that was also doing its job, the Judiciary that is faithful to its duty, the prosecution likewise investigative and law enforcement agencies, we should not be having this I would characterize as somewhat start up problems where we are trying to align everything to a more cohesive justice system,” she said.

She said it is important that the next President should make sure that power is not concentrated in his or her office alone.

“Any President who takes the position will have to account for the fact that their primary duty is not to ensure power is concentrated in the Office of the President. That should not be done,” she said.

Instead, Sereno said the next President should observe “the independence of the constitutional commissions, preserve the professionalism of the investigative and prosecutorial services and the Judiciary is allowed to decide things according to the Constitution and applicable statutes.

“When that happens, I think, you will see a stability in our country that will augur well for the future. I think we can look forward to a more modern and responsive society,” she added.

But when asked if she would prefer a male or female President, Sereno said “I have been very gender neutral.”