By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Embattled Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno visited the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) yesterday morning and cited the importance of the judiciary to university students and faculty members.

In her speech, Sereno said the judiciary in the Philippines is always being accused of being slow to react on their cases; however, she pointed out the importance of upholding the law.

“If there is no law, it will be like the law of the jungle,” Sereno said. “Every man to his own; there will be killings, maulings, thievery, and all kinds of criminality will be seen.”

Sereno said it is important for Filipinos to have a fully-functional judiciary, citing it as the reason for her visit.

She also pointed out the judiciary’s importance to those scheduled to graduate to senior high and college, saying they too will take advantage of laws in place since it will provide them with fair wages should they gain employment in the future.

“It is also important to give the poor their share in justice,” Sereno said. “What is more painful? You being hungry because the earnings of your parents are not enough or because your family is being discriminated?”

“Justice is as important as bread, justice is as important as food on the table,” she added./DGB,WDJ