(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, Aug. 31, administered the ceremonial oath of office to Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, who replaced Maria Lourdes Sereno following her ouster.
This was days after De Castro officially took her oath of office before the Supreme Court en banc.
De Castro will serve as Chief Justice until October, when she reaches the mandatory age of retirement.
De Castro was among those who voted to oust Sereno as Chief Justice, prompting some opposition lawmakers to say her appointment as CJ was a reward for her role in her ouster.
But Duterte denied this, saying she was chosen based on seniority.
Of the three justices shortlisted by the Judicial and Bar Council, De Castro was the most senior.
The other two were Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin and Diosdado Peralta.
