Sereno won't 'read into' PNoy's accusations

MANILA, Philippines — Maria Lourdes Sereno faced the media Thursday saying she does not want to comment on President Aquino's accusations against recent decisions of the Supreme Court.

"I have enormous respect for the president," Sereno said in a rare, televised conference with a panel of journalists. "I do not read anything into his statements."

Aquino, in an interview over Bombo Radyo on Thursday, said the Supreme Court should not be allowed to meddle in government affairs.

Sereno, however, chose to maintain her "dignified silence" and explained the role of the judiciary as the most depoliticized offices of government.

"If we do not involve ourselves into the muck and rake of politics, then democracy has a better chance of surviving in the county," she said.

She explained that the judiciary's ideal role is to go about its day-to-day processes in speedily resolving cases, conduct itself with professionalism and audit funds fearlessly.

"This is how I think the Constitution has designed us to be. I am trying to hew as much as I can to that ideal model--to a depoliticized Chief Justice," Sereno added.

The high court ruled against acts and practices under Aquino's Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) last July, irking the president who criticized the court of countering the country's development.

Sereno, however, said the country will develop faster if only constitutional guidelines are met.

"The reason why we have not been able to exploit to the maximum our ability to build ourselves as a maximum is that we have not paid sufficient attention to constitutional processes and the constitutional roles that are assigned to [the three branches]," Sereno said.