Philippines chief justice who ruled against Duterte removed from top court

[TomSea]

Philippines chief justice who ruled against Duterte removed from top court | CBC News
The Associated Press · Posted: May 11, 2018 4:38 AM ET | Last Updated: May 11

The Philippine Supreme Court ousted its chief justice, a critic of the country's authoritarian president, in an unprecedented vote Friday by fellow magistrates that she and hundreds of protesters called unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.

Court spokesman Theodore Te said eight of 14 justices voted to grant a petition by the government's solicitor-general to remove Maria Lourdes Sereno from the 15-member tribunal for allegedly failing to file statements of assets and liabilities as required by law. Sereno denies the allegation and refused to participate in the vote.

Sereno has earned the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte by speaking up for the respect of law and human rights at a time he has led a brutal crackdown on illegal drugs that has left thousands of suspects dead.

Read more at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/philippines-chief-justice-removed-1.4658270