Bayad-utang? De Castro appointment not reward from Duterte, says Palace

Malacañang, itinangging 'reward' ang pagpili kay Associate Justice Teresita De Castro bilang bagong chief justice | Ulat ni @dzmmPatrol44 pic.twitter.com/lxALLUbY8d

— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) August 26, 2018

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte was not paying a debt of gratitude when he appointed Teresita Leonardo-De Castro as the new chief justice, Malacañang said Sunday.

Duterte "upheld judicial professionalism" in tapping the 69-year-old De Castro, who was the most senior candidate for the post, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

De Castro has had "infinitely more experience" than her predecessor, Maria Lourdes Sereno, he added.

• PROFILE: Teresita De Castro

Sereno, who had been at odds with Duterte, was removed as the country's top magistrate in May after the high court granted the quo warranto plea that accused her of failing to declare her wealth in full when she applied for the post.

• Duterte to Sereno: I am now your enemy
• Sereno: Duterte has pattern of attacking democratic institutions

De Castro was among the 8 justices who backed the ouster plea filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida. She also testified in the separate impeachment proceedings against Sereno at the House of Representatives.

Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and activist leader Renato Reyes claimed that De Castro's appointment may have been her reward from Duterte.

De Castro is expected to hold the top magistrate post for only 2 months. She will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 years old in October.

• Government officials react to De Castro’s appointment as chief justice

With reports from Henry Atuelan and Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News