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Opinion

Duterte heads for an imperial presidency

Chief justice's ousting brings the Philippines closer to authoritarian government

| Philippines
Ousted Philippine Supreme Court Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno waves to supporters at a rally outside the Supreme Court building on Taft Avenue, metro Manila, on May 11.   © Reuters

The Philippines has taken a fateful step toward establishing authoritarian rule with the controversial ousting of the Supreme Court chief justice -- as a once-thriving democracy relentlessly turns into an imperial presidency.

Maria Lourdes Sereno was among the few remaining voices of independence in the Philippine state, rarely shying away from confronting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's perceived assaults on rule of law.

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