LOOK: Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin visits the Sandiganbayan upon the invitation of Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang. pic.twitter.com/hnaO5qzVxL — Adrian Ayalin (@adrianayalin) February 21, 2019

MANILA- Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday reminded Sandiganbayan justices to be tolerant in the performance of their duties or else end up as tyrants.

Bersamin made the statement in a visit to the anti-graft court Thursday on the invitation of Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.

“Any degree of intolerance could lead us to become martinets or worse, tyrants, but we cannot be martinets or tyrants for we are judges,” Bersamin said.

Bersamin also said that aside from tyrants, there is no room for jokers in the judiciary.

“While judges should not lose their sense of humor in the performance of their jobs, there is no room for jokes in the judiciary,” Bersamin said.

Bersamin also said judges and justices should not be sensitive to criticism.

“Let us neither hate nor deprive the criticism of our work and our persons. As judges we cannot be immune from the scrutiny of people,” Bersamin said.

Upon his appointment as top magistrate in November last year, Bersamin vowed judicial independence and said he would pursue initiatives to improve competencies of court workers.