CJ Sereno has been appointed by Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on August 24, 2012.
CJ Sereno hails from the University of the Philippines and is now the first woman to take the position as Philippine Chief Justice.
Aside from that, the 52-years old Sereno is currently the youngest appointed justice in the history of the Supreme Court.
Below is the official statement of the Philippine government as published in the Official Gazette.
Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda:
On the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
[August 24, 2012]
In the midst of this period of deep mourning for the loss of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, the President is cognizant of his constitutional duty to appoint the next Chief Justice of the Philippines. He has therefore decided to appoint Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The President is confident that Chief Justice Sereno will lead the judiciary in undertaking much-needed reforms. We believe the Judicial Branch of government has a historic opportunity to restore our people’s confidence in the judicial system.