Aquino names first woman Chief Justice of the Philippines

President Benigno Aquino III named the new Chief Justice of the Philippines who will replaces the impeached Renato Corona.

Aquino marks history as he named the 24th chief justice, one of the youngest and the first female. She was  the  Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Serrano.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda revealed this news on Friday via statement:

In the midst of this period of deep mourning for the loss of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, the President is cognizant of his constitutional duty to appoint the next Chief Justice of the Philippines. He has therefore decided to appoint Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

The President is confident that Chief Justice Sereno will lead the judiciary in undertaking much-needed reforms. We believe the Judicial Branch of government has a historic opportunity to restore our people’s confidence in the judicial system.