Sereno: I don't need to be top judge to defend Constitution

Ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Tuesday strongly vowed to continue defending the rule of law despite the Supreme Court's decision affirming her removal from office.

"I stand before you now stripped of my authority and position. I do not have to be Chief Justice to defend our laws and Constitution. I live the law as do all Filipinos who uphold the dignity of every fellow Filipino," Sereno said in her speech during an event in Quezon City.

"We will continue to live the law and fight for our democracy and the institutions to safeguard it."

In a separate interview with reporters, Sereno maintained that the decision of the High Court was wrong.

"I will continue to state what I said earlier, it was a wrong decision," she said.

She also stressed that she has not thought of becoming an opposition figure despite her fierce criticisms of the present administration.

"I have always said that I am the voice of those who need their issues to be ventilated. 'Yung leader ng opposition term na 'yan, hindi ko 'yan pinagiisipan kaya wala hong meaning sa akin ito," she said.

Sereno again slammed President Rodrigo Duterte, noting that his administration has complete disregard over the Constitution and the rule of law. The former top magistrate—appointed in 2012 by then-President Benigno Aquino III—also said her battle started when Duterte assumed office.

"Lahat ng ito ay nagsimula lamang nang si President Duterte ay naupo, at isa-isang binatikos ang mga pinuno ng mga ahensya at binitbit ang mga mapanira niyang panawagan ng kanyang mga kaalyado," Sereno said.

"Thus, the responsibility for the weakening of the rule of law is his. He has admitted that sowing intrigue and planting evidence have been part of his practice," she added.

Sereno said the public's "sights have been set low by the very leaders who should lead us to pursue lofty visions for our country and our people."

"Through all that, the propagandists would have is pin our hopes on one man—a blasphemous, self-styled savior who is willing to kill, someone who has unabashedly said he can replace Satan in might and monstrosity," Sereno said.

The former top magistrate also challenged Duterte to give honest responses to "nagging questions" regarding the country's economic difficulties, the plan to revise the Constitution, the accountability of those officials fired due to alleged corruption, and the issue on the West Philippine Sea.

"Sa hirap na dinaranas ng sambayanan ngayon, kailangan na pong tugunan ng gobyernong ito ang mga katanungang ikinababalisa ng nakararami," Sereno said.

The SC has denied with finality Sereno's appeal that sought the reversal of the ruling that unseated her. It also called on the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to start the process of accepting applications for the top magistrate post.

Following the latest ruling, Sereno's camp vowed that she would continue to be the "voice of the people." —KBK/BM, GMA News