MANILA, Philippines — The judiciary remains independent of the executive branch despite President Duterte having more appointees in the Supreme Court (SC) than either of the past two chief executives before him. Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said this yesterday as he gave assurance that Duterte has never pressured the high court to decide favorably for the administration in any case. He is expected to name another SC justice soon to take the place vacated by the promotion of Bersamin, and two others later this year when the Chief Justice and Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio retire. Bersamin vowed that the court will remain independent of the appointing authority, as what has been proven in the past. The SC chief cited the court during the nine-year term of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo where she was able to appoint over 20 justices to the SC.

Source: Philippine Star May 22, 2019 16:03 UTC