De Lima vows to inculcate Aquino’s straight path value if appointed SC chief

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said she will inculcate the “tuwid na daan” (straight path) value of President Benigno Aquino III if she would be appointed Chief Justice.

“Tuwid na daan is a very noble ideal that I want to inculcate in the judiciary,” De Lima said even if she stressed that she will be independent from Aquino if ever appointed.

She explained that as a Justice Secretary, she is an alter ego of the President “I am presumed to be in agreement with the political direction of the administration.”

But if ever appointed, she said she will be independent, stressing that her records will bear her out as early as her stint as head of the Commission on Human Rights.

“I know that people expects me to discharge my mandate with the highest sense of independence,” she said.