Philippines' 1st female chief justice named

Philippine President Benigno Aquino (left) officiates the oathtaking of the newly appointed Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno (second from right) with her family at the Malacanang palace in Manila on August 25, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP

MANILA (AFP) - President Benigno Aquino on Friday named a veteran judge as the first female chief justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, following his controversial ousting of her predecessor.

Supreme Court associate justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, 52, was named to take the place of ousted chief justice Renato Corona after he was impeached by Mr Aquino's congressional allies in May amid a public feud with the president.

Mr Aquino had sought the sacking of then-chief justice Corona, saying it was part of his anti-corruption reforms.

But critics said he wanted to ensure his control of the court.