MANILA- Although she claims that her expulsion was "very unjust," ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno maintains that she has no regrets.

Hours after her ouster on Friday, a calm Sereno said she is not bothered by her removal but is encouraged by the positivity around her.

"The decision is very unjust, that cannot be doubted. But beyond that decision, I am firmly in the belief that God is in control of everything and so this only tells us that there is a bigger picture here so the fight for democracy, the truth, and accountability must continue," she told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview.

(Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno gives an exclusive one-on-one interview with ANC's Karen Davila.)

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"I am not bothered by the fact that the Supreme Court may no longer be my platform but I am encouraged by the fact that many people are responding to me in a very positive way. There is an awakening," she added.

• Supreme Court ousts Chief Justice Sereno
• LOOK: Who voted for, against Sereno ouster

Magistrates of the Supreme Court voted 8-6 on Friday to grant Solicitor General Jose Calida's "quo warranto" petition, invalidating Sereno's appointment as chief justice.

The high court also declared the top magistrate post vacant and has ordered the Judicial and Bar Council to begin the application and nomination process for Sereno's replacement.

"The position of the Chief Justice is declared vacant and the Judicial and Bar Council is directed to commence the application and nomination process," the dispositive portion of the court's ruling stated.

Sereno, the first woman to hold the top post in the judiciary, was supposed to stay in her post until her retirement at age 70 in 2030.

She is expected to file a motion for reconsideration.

• Palace: Let’s respect SC ruling to oust Sereno