Chief Justice on leave Maria Lourdes Sereno faced grilling from colleagues, particularly her mortal nemesis, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, the most senior female associate justice. It was the first time a sitting chief justice faced off with her fellow magistrates in oral arguments at the high tribunal. Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio sat as presiding officer of the oral arguments. Turning the tables on de Castro, Sereno said de Castro was supposed to submit a total of 39 SALNs, but turned over only 15. Justices de Castro, Bersamin, Tijam, Diosdado Peralta and Francis Jardeleza denied the motion for inhibition during a closed-door en banc session before the oral arguments.

Source: Manila Times April 10, 2018 16:07 UTC