Sereno satisfaction rating dip ‘not surprising’

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A REYES

The sharp plunge in the satisfaction ratings of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was expected, one of her spokespersons said on Wednesday.

Sereno scored a personal-low minus-8 percent (29 percent satisfied as against 37 percent dissatisfied) in the March 23 to 27 survey, down from plus-6 percent in December last year.

The Social Weather Stations considers a rating of plus-9 to minus-9 percent as “neutral.”

“A dip in ratings is not surprising when there is a well-orchestrated and well-funded campaign against Chief Justice Sereno,” lawyer Josa Deinla said in a statement.

Besides, she said, “what is right is not always what’s popular.”

Deinla added: “The Chief Justice is optimistic that if she will be given her day in court — the Senate impeachment tribunal — she can defend herself and prove that all the allegations against her are baseless and wrong. The Filipino people, too, deserve to know the truth.”

Sereno is facing two uphill battles — the quo warranto petition brought against her in the Supreme Court, as well as the impeachment proceedings she is facing in the House of Representatives and the Senate. — MARLON RAMOS