By Genalyn Kabiling
Malacañang is counting on newly appointed Chief Justice Teresita De Castro to help improve the delivery of justice in the country.
(ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque has expressed hope that De Castro's long experience in government would be useful in ensuring an efficient and faster judicial system.
"Nais din nating matuto at makinabang doon sa kaniyang napakahabang eksperiyensiya kung saan siya mismo ay aktibo na nakibahagi sa mga court proceeding “ Roque said in a radio interview.
"Dahil iyan naman talaga ang dapat pagbigyang pansin ng ating Chief Justice, kung paano mapabilis iyong pagbibigay ng katarungan sa ating mga kababayan ," he added.
The President recently appointed De Castro as the country's new Chief Justice based on seniority. Duterte asserted that politics was not involved in her appointment, rejecting allegations it was a reward for helping oust his rival then Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
De Castro's appointment paper was signed by the President last Saturday, August 25, but was only released to the public Tuesday. She is expected to take her oath before the President in Malacañang this Friday.
Roque said the President's decision to apply seniority rule in SC appointments would help promote judicial professionalism. He also agreed that De Castro deserved the promotion having spent more than 40 years in government service.
"Sa Presidente, tama lang naman po na bigyan ng mga promotion iyong mga napakatagal nanilbihan sa gobyerno lalo na iyong gaya ni Justice De Castro na ni walang kahit anong kaso, walang kahit anong pula iyong kaniyang service record
," he added.