Duterte on next CJ: Not a politician, lalo na hindi babae

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday laid down the characteristics he is looking for in the successor of ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

"Gusto ko 'yung bilib ang tao sa integrity niya. Of course it could not be a politician, lalo na hindi babae," Duterte told reporters in Malacañang.

President Duterte on who he wants as new Chief Justice @gmanews pic.twitter.com/RTmI89977X

— Joseph Morong (@Joseph_Morong) May 16, 2018

Sereno was removed on May 11 by her colleagues at the Supreme Court (SC), saying she failed to meet the integrity requirement for members of the judiciary due to incomplete submission of her declarations of wealth when she applied for the post in 2012.

The SC also ordered the vetting body Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to commence the process of selecting the country's next top judge.

As for the replacement of retiring Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Duterte said he "will have to consult everybody" except for the top graft buster herself.

"I will even have to consult the Ombudsman people, not Morales para sigurado, 'yung gusto ng tao," the President said.

Duterte and Morales have been at odds over the Office of the Ombudsman's investigation into allegations of unexplained wealth against him and his family.

Morales had recused herself in the probe as she is the aunt of lawyer Mans Carpio, the husband of presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Morales is set to retire in July. —JST, GMA News