Aug 212014
 

Sereno swears in Jardeleza as new SC associate justice

Sereno swears in Jardeleza as new SC associate justice. Newly appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardaleza (left) takes his oath of office before Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday, August 20. Jardeleza’s appointment by President Benigno Aquino III was announced on August 20. Roy Lozano

At least for now, new Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza and his oppositors in the high court appear to be keeping the peace.

Led by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Supreme Court justices all welcomed Jardeleza as their colleague, according to a report on “24 Oras” Thursday.

Sereno, who was one of those who opposed Jardeleza’s bid to be an associate justice, administered the oath of office to Jardeleza.

Jardeleza was greeted by the other justices and given a tour of the Supreme Court building in Manila.

He was initially excluded from the shortlist of nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council. He questioned this before the Supreme Court and was eventually included in the list.

The former solicitor general becomes the 173rd Supreme Court justice, replacing the retired Roberto Abad.

When asked if he was happy about his appointment, he said, “yes, of course.”

Even Commission on Audit chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan, who was on the JBC shortlist, was happy for Jardeleza.

Meanwhile, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban said he sees no problem between Jardeleza and his colleagues in the high court.

He said that while they may disagree “vehemently” on some issue, they would still be friends in the end.

Panganiban said they can “all agree to disagree without being disagreeable.” Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News

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