Uphold integrity, independence, be role models: CJ

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno urged justices and judges to serve as good role models by personally observing high standards of conduct while upholding the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

Sereno, in a statement, said it is high time for judges to live up to their role as dispensers of justice guided by a strong set of ethics and values.

Sereno said the magistrates should focus mainly on how they could address the problem of injustice, which was a major concern among people.

“In other words, let us use a language that is honorable, noble, wise and upright. Let us talk of goodness, honesty, righteousness, justice and truth,” she said.

“‘ Yan dapat (That’s our) ang language natin because we are trying to lift a culture, we are trying to create system improvements, we are trying to support institutions na hindi lang para sa ngayon (not just this time). If we’re trying to assure a good future for our children and apos (grandchildren), it must be only that way,” Sereno added.

The country’s top magistrate said she envisioned a generation of judges who would be leaders in their communities.

In dispensing justice, Sereno reminded judges that it was not all about them, but the “individuals seeking justice.”

“You should not be emotional, but you have to show your heart - that your heart is in the right place,” she said.

“It’s for the little man, it is for the oppressed man, it’s for those hard-earning people burdened by so much delay and dishonesty,” she added. /