A justice of the Supreme Court has asked her colleagues to review several administrative orders made by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, including delays in filling up key positions in the judiciary, appointment of a Philippine Judicial Academy (Philja) official and provision for travel allowances of her staff.
In a five-page memorandum circulated among members of the high court last week, Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro told her colleagues that Sereno’s orders should have prior approval by the court en banc being a collegial body as required under the rules.
De Castro said that “it is imperative that the Court addresses the long delay in the filling-up of the key positions in the Court which is prejudicial to the best interest of the service.”
She particularly cited the positions for SC deputy clerk of court and chief attorney, which have been vacant for three years and eight months already as well as the two positions for assistant court administrator which have been vacant for four years and six months.
De Castro said Associate Justice Jose Perez, before his retirement in 2016, asked the Chief Justice to act on the vacancies.