Bersamin: Uphold rule of law always

A few days before retiring with three-decade of a career in the judiciary, Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin wants officials and employees of the high bench to remain loyal to the Constitution and rule of law.

On Friday, 18 October, Bersamin will turn 70, which is the mandatory retirement age to end his 11-month stint as chief justice.

Though retiring, Bersamin said he experienced a deep sense of personal satisfaction but no regrets as he addressed the SC employees in his last flag raising ceremony as chief justice.

Bersamin thanked his colleagues and court employees for their support and cooperation and said he has done everything within the bounds of the law to make his office accessible.

He said that between yesterday and his actual retirement, he shall be in his office to complete all the tasks that remain to be accomplished.

“All I ask as I exit from service in the judiciary is just as forthright as that, nothing more,” said Bersamin.

He urged officials and employees of the SC during his speech to continue doing their assigned tasks and work but be constant in their loyalty to the judiciary as an institution and be steadfast in the fealty to the letter and spirit of the Constitution and to the rule of law.

Traffic was closed to traffic in a part of Padre Faura Street, Manila Monday as Bersamin was greeted with arrival honors before the flag-raising ceremony.

Except for Associate Justie Jose Reyes Jr., one of the four incumbent magistrates vying to succeed Bersamin, all justices were present.

Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Andres Reyes, Jr., have also applied for the soon-to-be vacant Chief Justice position.

Bersamin said he has always endeavored to be true to his oath of office and have always discharged his duties and responsibilities in the best lights that God has endowed him with.

He maintained that he has served faithfully the people, conscientiously discharged his office, and dutifully fulfilled their trust.

Last week, he rejected the “gods of Padre Faura” tag for the justices of the SC, saying that guided tours in a judiciary memorabilia hall put up through his initiative aimed to “demystify the court.”

In a special en banc session held for his retirement, Bersamin said he wants to be remembered as the healing chief justice.

On 15 October, Bersamin will preside his last en banc session where the en banc sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal is expected to finally vote on the vice-presidential electoral protest after three deferments.