The Supreme Court's newest chief magistrate received messages of support and a warning on Friday when her appointment was announced.
Lawyer Roan Libarios, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, welcomed Associate Justice Lourdes Sereno's appointment.
In a radio interview on dzMM, Libarios said Sereno has the "idealism and the capability" to institute reforms in the judiciary. He added Sereno can help bring about transparency in government and good governance.
"She will be an asset to the judiciary," he said.
Libarios added Sereno came in second in the IBP's mock elections for Chief Justice. Sereno received six votes during deliberations of the Judicial and Bar Council, then Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio received seven votes.
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., meanwhile, called Sereno a good choice.
"(She is) a new face yet an insider with a reputation for competence and independence. She will prove to be an effective leader of the Judiciary," Belmonte, who delivered the closing argument against Corona at his impeachment trial, said.
Kabataan party-list also welcomed Sereno's appointment, saying in a statement that she "will have ample time to enforce genuine reform in the country’s justice system."
"We need an SC that will be more transparent, pro-people, and free from political maneuverings," Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino, who was a signatory on the impeachment complaint against Corona, said.
Palatino, however, said Sereno's appointment could lead to the creation of a Supreme Court friendly to Malacanang. Citing Sereno's vote on the valuation
of Hacienda Luisita, Palatino said "early on in her career, it was already apparent whose side she is vouching for."
"In appointing Justice Sereno, it is apparent that Aquino would like to maintain a considerable sway in the SC’s decision-making," he said.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes, for his part, called for "continued vigilance" on how Sereno will lead the Supreme Court.
"One wonders if the whole CJ impeachment was designed to lead to this day...and this result," he said on his Twitter account.
