DAVAO CITY (September 1) — Supreme Court Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro took her oath before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Friday, August 31, 2018 in Malacañang.
During the ceremony, the Chief Justice was accompanied by her family at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace.
Duterte appointed de Castro on August 25 after the high court declared the appointment of former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as invalid.
Sereno was ousted by her colleagues at the Supreme Court (SC) granted the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against her.
Duterte had earlier said the appointment of De Castro was based on seniority, dismissing speculations that the new Chief Justice’s appointment was a reward for ousting Sereno.
The President congratulated Chief Justice De Castro and told her that she deserves the appointment.
Among the officials present were Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr., Solicitor General Jose Calida, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, and Senator Richard Gordon.
Supreme Court justices and members of the Judicial and Bar Council also attended the oath taking.
The Chief Justice will reach the mandatory age of retirement in October this year.
De Castro was appointed to the Supreme Court in December 2007 and has also served as Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan.-JAP/NewsLine.ph
