'Bawal ang Pasaway' viewers weigh in on the appointment of CJ Sereno

Following the appointment of Associate Justice Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice of the Philippines, "Bawal ang Pasaway," GMA News TV's news analysis program hosted by Prof. Winnie Monsod, guested Judicial and Bar Council members Atty. Roberto Cadiz and Atty. Milagros Fernan-Cayosa to discuss the selection and appointment process. They talked about a number of factors and issues related to Sereno's appointment, including the outcome of Sereno's psychological evaluation:  "Ang psychological evaluation ay para lang tulungang suriin ang mga miyembro to examine their mental competence," said Fernan-Cayosa, adding that it was not an deciding factor in Sereno's bid. While Sereno's predecessor, Renato Corona, came under fire for inaccuracies and ommissions in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN), Sereno's own SALN revealed nothing surprising, said Fernan-Cayosa. Though they both believed that the more senior Justice Antonio Carpio would have been the better choice for Chief Justice, they are happy with the choice of Sereno. "I can only liken her to the position where my dad [Marcelo Fernan] was where he only served two years in the court prior to becoming Chief Justice [from 1988 to 1991]," said Fernan-Cayosa. She added that two years is enough time to immerse yourself in the workings of the Supreme Court, and not being the most senior candidate should not be a factor. Below, our viewers weighed in on the appointment of Lourdes Sereno to the highest judicial post in the country. —Job de Leon/PF, GMA News