No stopping cleanup of judiciary–SC

The Supreme Court will continue its drive to cleanse the judiciary of corrupt officials and employees, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said yesterday as she welcomed President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign to eliminate corruption.

Duterte had earlier complained that the courts’ issuances of temporary restraining orders (TROs) hampered government projects, suggesting that such orders mean money for the judges.

Asked about Duterte’s statements, Sereno told reporters that whether or not there were TROs issued, corruption was a problem in government, and when it came to the judicial processes, there was a need to root out and eradicate corruption in the judiciary.

“We welcome that he highlights corruption, but I can also assure the public that even if our President is quiet about corruption, the judiciary will still do its best to rid its ranks of corruption,” Sereno said.

“I can assure the public that we will not stop cleansing our ranks,” she said.

She noted that when she was appointed Chief Justice in 2012, she made a call for the public to submit evidence of corruption in the judiciary so that something could be done about it.

“Until now I still want evidence of corruption because that is really something we need to make an example of,” she said.

She said her office was also open to any of Duterte’s trusted people who want to raise concerns about the judiciary.

Sereno said she would take a “measured approach” with regard to the incoming administration.

“I have personally taken an attitude in dealing with people in power to look beyond their words and try to find the genuine message they are trying to radiate, because words are capable of being misinterpreted. And until they are really being judicially scrutinized, it is premature to act on them,” she said.

“And the message I understand to have been sent by him is that he’s going to focus on drugs and corruption within the sphere that he can really discipline. That’s the message I have received,” she said.

“The excess words—maybe some of you may characterize them as such—we will await analysis when the time is ripe for the judiciary to come in,” she added.

“It’s premature to make any conclusion at this point,” said Sereno when asked about the incoming President’s words on the need for extraordinary means to fight crime.