SC priority: Resolution of pending 2013 election-related cases

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the Supreme Court is prioritizing the resolution of pending 2013 election related cases as part of preparations for the 2016 polls.

“We have decided that we will really prioritize them, and we are working on them. We are trying to make sure that if we can dispose of everything that has to do with the past elections, we will do that,” Sereno told reporters in an interview on Thursday.

Asked if the high court could resolve all pending cases before next year’s election, she said “I think, yes, in a very reasonable time we will be able to do that… The filing [of Certificates of Candidacy] starts in October, so we are making preparations.”

This is part of the judiciary’s “two-pronged approach” in preparing for the presidential elections, she added.

Sereno said they would soon start the training programs for the judges who will handle the election related cases.

She said she is already choosing those who will participate in the training programs.

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During the high court’s anniversary last year, Sereno said the influx of cases as election comes near is a “trend.”

She said the 2016 elections pose major challenges because the scheduled synchronized national and local elections will entail massive preparations.

“Hindi biro ang mag-launch ng national elections sa atin; I think everyone should be aware of the challenges that are ahead of us. Maraming legal questions na haharap sa atin kaya kailangan ‘yung ating will nagkakaisa that we provide the best possible quality of service in the form of justice to our people.” (Launching national elections here is no joke; I think everyone should be aware of the challenges that are ahead of us. We are going to face many legal questions so we need to be united to provide the best possible quality of service in the form of justice to our people.) “Many cases, of course. Wala na ‘yan, trend na ‘yan talaga (it’s nothing, it’s already a trend), it’s a given. Ang job sa amin ngayon (our job now) is to manage our time how to make sure that we can deliver all these thoughtful decisions in the appropriate time,” Sereno said. “We are also very much aware of our role come election time. It’s time we prepare,” she added. LINK https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/697667/sereno-judiciary-preparing-for-challenges-questions-come-election-season