Philippine chief justice ‘ousted’ in ballot

The Philippine Supreme Court ousted its chief justice, a critic of the country’s authoritarian president, in an unprecedented vote yesterday by fellow judges that she and hundreds of protesters called unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.

Court spokesman Theodore Te said justices voted 8-6 to grant a petition by the government’s solicitor-general to remove Maria Lourdes Sereno from the 15-member tribunal for allegedly failing to file statements of assets and liabilities as required by law. Sereno denies the allegation and refused to participate in the vote.

Sereno has earned the ire of president Rodrigo Duterte by speaking up for the respect of law and human rights as he has led a brutal crackdown on illegal drugs that has left thousands of suspects dead. In the nearly two years the brash-talking leader has been in power, an opposition senator has been locked up on drug charges she says were fabricated and other critics have been insulted or threatened.