If Sereno were not ousted we would have her as Chief Justice until she retired,” Panelo told reporters in an interview yesterday. He (Carpio) said he would decline because he did not want to take advantage (of Sereno’s ouster),” he added. The senior associate justice, however, accepted his nomination for him to succeed former chief justice Teresita de Castro, who retired last October. Panelo reiterated that Carpio’s opposition to Duterte’s manner of handling the South China Sea issue had no bearing on the selection of chief justice. “I am disappointed with the appointment of Bersamin as chief justice.

Source: Philippine Star November 29, 2018 16:28 UTC