AMID the impeachment proceedings against her, beleaguered Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday highlighted the reforms and achievements in the judiciary since she became the top magistrate of the Supreme Court in 2012.
Sereno even exhorted the employees of the judiciary to disseminate the reforms being implemented in the judiciary aimed at speeding up the trial system and the programs intended to improve their welfare.
She was referring to the phase-by-phase roll-out of electronic courts or eCourts and the Automated Hearing, the implementation of the continuous trial in criminal courts and the 2016 Revised Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases, which raised the ceiling for claims that will be handled through summary procedure.
Sereno also cited the contributions made by her colleagues”•Associate Justices Mariano Del Castillo and Estela Perlas-Bernabe”•in the implementation of judicial reforms.
She praised Del Castillo’s handling of the high court’s outreach programs and Bernabe’s lead role in formulating the rules for commercial courts, including financial rehabilitation and insolvency and addressing the infrastructure problems of the courts.
“Tell this to our people so that they can be proud of our judiciary,” Sereno said.
But she also urged the judiciary’s employees to always set what she called the “gold standard for public service.”
The embattled chief magistrate also expressed hope that other stakeholders in the justice system, such as prosecutors, defense lawyers and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, would follow the high court’s example.
Despite the moves in Congress to oust her through impeachment, Sereno said she was grateful that “we have a fantastic year ahead of us again.”
“We should always be thankful and happy. Are we thankful and happy? Then let’s say thank you Lord! Praise the Lord!” Sereno said.
“We look forward to more things to report to the nation and we look forward to continually take care of each other because the judiciary is one family that takes care of each other’s needs and concerns all in the service of the nation.”