SWS survey shows Sereno ‘unscathed’ by attacks —spox

Lawyer Josa Deinla, spokesperson for Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. INQUIRER.net / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s image remained “unscathed” despite corruption allegations in the impeachment case hurled against her at the House of Representatives, according to her spokesperson.

Lawyer Josa Deinla said that Sereno’s “neutral” net satisfaction rating in a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that the attacks against Sereno were ineffective.

“Despite a well-orchestrated campaign to malign her and soil her integrity through baseless and malicious allegations, Chief Justice Sereno’s net satisfaction rating has stayed “neutral” and relatively unscathed,” Deinla said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the SWS, Sereno posted a 6 percent net satisfaction rating for the fourth quarter of 2017, down by 3 points from her 9 percent rating in September.

Despite the decline, the SWS still considers Sereno’s 6 percent rating as “neutral,” which ranged from +9 to -9.
READ: Sereno satisfaction rating drops again, down to 6 percent – SWS

Deinla said that Sereno would continue to fulfil her duties as Chief Justice, saying she was focused on her responsibilities to improve the country’s justice system and strengthen the rule of law.

“The impeachment has not interfered with the fundamental reforms such as court decongestion, continuous trial, automated hearings and the expansion of electronic courts,” Sereno’s spokeswoman said.

“The Chief Justice is determined to make the Supreme Court responsive to the needs of the people,” she said.

At the same time, Deinla said that Sereno still looked forward to address all the issues raised in the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Larry Gadon.

The Chief Justice, however, would only do so “when her fundamental rights, including her right to counsel and to cross examine through her counsel of choice, will be respected,” she said. /jpv