PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, June 7, hit back at ousted Chief Justice Supreme Court Maria Lourdes Sereno for accusing him of engaging in a mere publicity stunt by firing several appointees over alleged corruption involvement.
Duterte denied Sereno's allegation, saying that reappointing public officials to their "appropriate capacity" was part of the reorganization of his government.
"She (Sereno) is saying that I'm recycling [my appointees]? I place people to their appropriate capacity. Now, it doesn't mean that I transfer you from one another. It might be a revamp, but doesn't mean to say that they made a mistake," the President said in a chance interview in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
On Monday, June 4, Sereno said Duterte's firing spree might be a mere publicity stunt, since none of the axed officials were slapped with charges.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Tuesday, June 5, came to the President's defense, telling Sereno to undergo psychosocial treatment for insinuating that Duterte's anti-corruption campaign was all for show.
In his latest remark, Duterte turned the tables on Sereno, who he said was "full of adjectives and gimmickry" to impress the public.
"She (Sereno) was playing gimmickry, impressing people," Duterte said. "Sereno is a lost cause. She had it coming. She asked for it. That's why it (her removal from office) happened to her. Now that she is out, she is full of adjectives and gimmickry. Those justices [who ousted you] have brains, unlike you. You are full of gimmickry."
The President also slammed Sereno for merely "indulging in politics."
"We are working here but they are criticizing us. What is their significant contribution in governance? What? Tell me," he said.
"What is the significant decision of Sereno or anybody, critics who are saying this is a mere gimmickry?" What have they contributed all these years? To the critics, what have they contributed to the betterment of the country, except indulging in politics?"
Sereno was ousted by her fellow magistrates at the Supreme Court on May 11, after they voted 8-6 in favor the quo warranto petition lodged by Solificor General Jose Calida, seeking the nullification of her appointment as Chief Justice.
Sereno earlier blamed Duterte for her ouster, but the President denied any involvement. (SunStar Philippines)