Transparency and Accountability Network

On 13 August 2010, President Aquino named Asian Institute of Management's Executive Director, Atty. Lourdes Sereno as the newest associate justice of the Supreme Court. Below are some notes by SCA taken during the JBC's public interview of Atty. Sereno in July 2010:

ATTY. LOURDES SERENO. Atty. Sereno has been in the practice of litigation for 23 years and her involvement in litigation cases is both at the international and local levels. She also taught law for more than 20 years. She is currently the Executive Director of the Asian Institute of Management and a pioneer of law and economics in the country. She has been involved in various engagements with the World Trade Organization, GRP Peace Panel, etc. She believes she also has expertise in other fields of laws such as criminal law, labor, anti-graft and corrupt practices, and taxation. She teaches Obligations and Contracts, International Law, etc.

Atty. Sereno believes she understands the systemic problem of the judiciary and that justice infrastructure is a key factor towards economic growth.

She would propose changes in the resolution/decision management system and put importance to the Court’s human resources.

On what made her decide to apply for the Supreme Court, she answered that at the end of the day, one can only have one house, one family, and there is always the deeper search for meaning. She also thinks that it is her objective to contribute to national quest for direction and justice. She believes in the virtue of temperance.

She is also ready for a secluded life because she has to be psychologically prepared for the workings of a justice. Her family is likewise ready for it, if she is appointed. She also consulted Justice Feliciano and former Chief Justice Reynato Puno in her application.