Since way back in 2012, the disturbing results of Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno’s psychiatric evaluation, her inability to earn the respect of her peers in the high court, her non-compliance to rules regarding disclosure of her personal assets and liabilities, and the questionable motivation behind her appointment as Chief Justice by then President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III, had long served as robust foundation for numerous indictments against her claim to her role as Chief Justice.
Granted, those who defend her make a good single point — that only an impeachment can remove Sereno from office. That highlights the significant damage Aquino did to the Supreme Court when he appointed Sereno to head the high court back in 2012. In prioritising his personal agenda over choosing a qualified person to fill the role, Aquino not only sentenced the Supreme Court to be subject to a lame-duck Chief Justice for the foreseeable future, he also exposed the Filipino people to potentially tens of millions of pesos in costs to do with an impeachment proceeding that will likely be needed to correct Aquino’s idiotic decision in 2012.
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Even more interesting, the Philippine media have mounted what seems to be a concerted effort to turn Sereno into another one of those victim-cum-“heroes” that form the cast of characters of the narrative of the Liberal Party (a.k.a. the Yellowtards). It’s another instance of that old familiar approach of insulting Filipinos’ intelligence on the vast scale that only mainstream traditional media could pull off. This can be seen in a recent feature on Sereno published in, get this, the Lifestyle section of the Inquirer. In “CJ Lourdes Sereno: The ‘Batang Kamuning’ in fighting form”, author Eric S. Caruncho describes Sereno as a “lioness” being set upon by hyenas “working in packs”.
Caruncho then proceeds down that old familiar path of creating the sort of “hero” Yellowtards gush about — humble beginnings, working-class roots, victims of circumstance, etc. That’s all par for the course as far as Yellowtard Hero Design 101. What is noteworthy, however, is the way Caruncho glosses over the manner with which Sereno was chosen by Aquino to be Chief Justice. Instead, Caruncho makes it look like Sereno’s journey to the top was on the back of merit…
Sereno graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law—the class valedictorian—and embarked on the distinguished legal career that would eventually lead to her appointment as the country’s first female chief justice of the Supreme Court at age 52, replacing the impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The fact is, Sereno’s appointment to Supreme Court Chief Justice was political in nature like all those that came before her. But, unlike her predecessors, she went on to prove to be unprepared for what happens next. Whilst being an academically competent lawyer is one thing, actually stepping up to head an entire branch of government is an altogether whole different kettle of fish. From Day One, Sereno had struggled to earn the respect of her peers in the high court. This is not surprising considering that the SC, at the time of her appointment, was still reeling from the circus — also engineered by Aquino — that was the “impeachment trial” of the late former Chief Justice Renato Corona. Evidently, the other justices never quite got over that episode.
The Philippines’ judiciary is the only one of the three branches of government where specific qualifications (not mere popularity) are required of its officers. The way the Yellowtards are fashioning Sereno’s public persona in the image of traditional Yellowtard “heroes” like “vice president” Leni Robredo — them prayerful and Laban-dera types — shows a lack of appreciation of the difference between elected officials and qualified officials. Then again, popularity could work, in this instance, if we consider that it will be a body of popularly-elected represenatives of the Filipino people (in the form of a Senate impeachment court) that will ultimately decide Sereno’s fate. Unfortunately for the Yellowtards, that very same dependence on popularity will likely work against them if that option is invoked as well, seeing that Congress remains Duterte country for now.
Either way, this whole circus — pop-up impeachments, lame-duck Chief Justices, and wasted taxpayers’ funds — could have all been prevented had Aquino been a bit more circumspect about his vendetta against Corona in the first couple of years of his presidency. All this, ultimately, is former President BS Aquino’s fault.
benign0 is the Webmaster of GetRealPhilippines.com.
When our mental functioning is whittling away and our mind becomes a lame duck, perception does not form the context anymore and all connections on the social chessboard are conked out. Only patience and endurance may draw us out of the quagmire of numbness and allow us to tear open the cloudy screen that is hiding our points of ‘interest’ and ‘attention’, so long as we focus on the ‘singular moments’ and the ‘appealing details’ in our country. Awareness can help us shape a comprehensive picture for a functional future.
what’s the plan B now of the aquinos for hacienda luisita now that its sole protector sereno losing her seat as chief justice?
This is one of the reasons I stay away from supporting Lourdes Sereno, despite her religious affiliation.
I always want to tell them: “She’s a product of the circus orchestrated by the stupid idiot known as Noynoy Aquino through the ‘impeachment’ of Renato Corona, where personal vendetta, not of any wrongdoing of the accused, is behind it.”
Even my late father would feel the same way.
The next few months are critical for the govt to work on the planned reforms and deal with an electoral recount. The mafia would be glad to throw the likes of Aquino and Sereno under the bus for a bigger scheme. Inefficiently dealing with the results of Aquino’s incompetence would be a further loss for Filipinos.
Lourdes Sereno, was appointed on the merit that she will protect Aquino’s interests, like his Hacienda Luisita. Look on how Sereno, has always voted in favor of Aquino’s interests. In the psychological test. Sereno has : delusion of grandeur. She has an IQ of 109. It is no surprise that U.P. is now a lagging university, compared to other universities around the world.
Lastly, Lourdes Sereno, had bypassed Justices in the Supreme Court, that are more experienced and qualified than her. This has produced conflict within the Supreme Court.
Her non declaration of her SALN and her tax evading issues, are disturbing issues of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Who would trust a Supreme Court Justice, who lie and cheat in her taxes ?
Impeach the Bitch !
Very true!
Ooohhh… if your argument is that UP is lagging because of Sereno, then it is logical that the rest of the schools in the Philippines are already flunking. As far as world statistics is concerned, UP bested the rest of the schools in the Philippines. This is a very disturbing situation for Philippine education indeed.
agree to this comments=Lourdes Sereno, was appointed on the merit that she will protect Aquino’s interests, like his Hacienda Luisita. Look on how Sereno, has always voted in favor of Aquino’s interests. In the psychological test. Sereno has : delusion of grandeur. She has an IQ of 109. It is no surprise that U.P. is now a lagging university, compared to other universities around the world.
Lastly, Lourdes Sereno, had bypassed Justices in the Supreme Court, that are more experienced and qualified than her. This has produced conflict within the Supreme Court.
Her non declaration of her SALN and her tax evading issues, are disturbing issues of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Who would trust a Supreme Court Justice, who lie and cheat in her taxes ?
Impeach the Bitch !
I have been praying, actively participating, and waiting for things to get better since 1986…..so tired.
🙁 when will it end….sigh*
Sensible post!
Indeed, the appointment appears to be improper since the previous president did not consider her seniors. But this article could have been better if all of her most detrimental mishaps and errors were cited vis-a-vis her achievements. Moreover, stating that her biggest problem is her inability to earn her comrades’ respect is not a good badge to wear (ass-licking is not good). Nevertheless, at least the government must look now on all the submitted SALNs of the other judges in the SC prior to their appointment, and submit the corresponding quo warranto petition for those who were unable to do so if it is SINCERE that it wanted rule of law to reign supreme.
Lourdes Sereno, was appointed on the merit that she will protect Aquino’s interests, like his Hacienda Luisita