CJ Sereno: Judiciary to remain loyal to 1987 Charter

MANILA, Philippines (Philippines News Agency) — Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno reminded everyone that the Constitution remains the "North Star" of the judiciary as the nation commemmorates the 31st anniversary of EDSA People Power 1 on Saturday.

"The judiciary is here to serve justice in the role it has been given by this Constitution, which is to convict only on the basis of the evidence, to rule according to law, to give no man favor and to harbor no malice towards any," Sereno told reporters on Thursday after the launching Governance in Justice program of European Union event at the Manila Hotel.

Sereno recalled that the 1987 Constitution came at the end of the EDSA revolution which ousted dictator President Ferdinand Marcos.

She pointed out that the Charter, which was ratified by 16,622,111 affirmative votes, provided "a rich and fertile ground for the rule of law to be nourished, to grow and to bear fruit."

"This it did with a renewed focus on human rights and civil liberties, an emphasis on sovereignty, and institutional protection for the independence of the judiciary," she said.

'Backbone for democracy'

At the 30th anniversary celebration of the ratification of the Constitution on February 2, Sereno emphasized on the historical value of the Constitution as "backbone for the new democracy ushered in by the force of the People Power Revolution of 1986 that ended the Marcos dictatorship."

"We in the Supreme Court and the judiciary today re-commit ourselves to the task of allowing our people to realize their hopes and aspirations of a society that is more just, humane, and equal by ensuring that the courts are firm, fair and free," she said.

Sereno made no mention of specific issues involving the current state of affairs, but assured the public that the high court is always ready to settle constitutional questions.

"The Court is there and watchful, but waiting to act only on the basis of justiciable controversies already filed before them," Sereno added.