After Duterte TRO remark, Sereno asserts anti-corruption drive in judiciary

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday reassured the public that the judiciary would continue its fight against corruption within its ranks.

Sereno was prompted to speak up on the matter following a remark by incoming President Rodrigo Duterte during a recent press conference in Davao City slamming courts who wantonly issue restraining orders, hampering government projects.

“I will be harsh. Basta corruption, I will be harsh. I am telling everybody. And I am sending somebody to the Supreme Court and I really don’t know kung sino ang kausapin doon to stop this practice of the judiciary, TRO nang TRO. And you cannot implement a project, you cannot go ahead even if there is the advice already because there is a TRO,” Duterte said.

“And the TRO simply means money for the judges. They have to stop it,” he added.

But on Friday, Sereno clarified that Duterte seemed to be implying that there are only some, and not all judges, who issue temporary restraining orders who are being accused of corruption.

"We welcome that he highlights corruption, but I can also assure the public that even if our President is quiet about corruption, the judiciary will still do its best to rid its ranks of corruption," said Sereno during a celebration for the founding anniversary of the Supreme Court in Manila.

As part of the SC's efforts against corruption, Sereno noted how the SC Public Information for the past few years has been coming out with weekly updates on disciplinary actions taken by the high tribunal against erring members of the judiciary.

"And I can assure the public that we will not stop cleansing our ranks," said Sereno, even as she urged victims of corruption in the judiciary to come out in the open.

"I still want evidence of corruption, because that is something we really need to make an example of. So, I hope the public is responsive, because we will have a responsive Supreme Court if we get enough basis. We will move," she said.

Sereno said corruption in the 30,000-strong judiciary is not limited to judges, but could also include sheriffs, stenographers, "or whoever may be working in the judiciary that is contributing to the perception that corruption still persists." — RSJ, GMA News