Impeachment case filed vs 9 SC justices over Poe DQ

MANILA, Philippines – An impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and eight other justices of the Supreme Court (SC) who ruled in favor of Sen. Grace Poe’s presidential bid was presented to the House of Representatives yesterday.

The House did not accept the complaint of Teofilo Parilla for lack of endorsement from any member of the chamber, which is required by law.

Parilla told journalists he is a resident of San Andres, Manila engaged in political consulting. He refused to name any client he is representing.

He accused Sereno and Justices Lucas Bersamin, Alfred Benjamin Caguioa, Francis Jardeleza, Marvic Leonen, Jose Mendoza, Diosdado Peralta, Jose Perez and Presbitero Velasco Jr. of violating the Constitution and betraying public trust for declaring Poe qualified to run in the presidential race.

Meanwhile, Poe is optimistic that Sereno and the eight justices can withstand any impeachment complaint that may be filed against them.

“I believe the Supreme Court will be able to defend their ruling,” Poe said on the sidelines of her campaign sortie in Lucena City, Quezon.

While she respects the filing of the impeachment case, Poe cited the positive outcome of the SC decision, which recognizes the rights of foundlings in the country.

“If there’s anything good that came out with my candidacy, it is the recognition of foundlings as citizens of the state. Is it disadvantageous to give equal rights to every child found abandoned in our country?” she said.

Unlike other presidential candidates who are facing corruption charges, Poe said she did not steal from the people nor strip any individual of their integrity.

“These people who threaten impeachment are selfish and are only thinking of the candidates they are supporting,” Poe said.

The SC had reversed a decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualifying Poe for her citizenship and lack of residency.

The high tribunal said the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion when it disqualified Poe from the elections, but did not rule on the issues of citizenship and residency.

Parilla said the SC should have first resolved the issue on Poe’s citizenship and residency before declaring that the poll body committed abuse of discretion.

On citizenship, he said seven justices – Sereno, Bersamin, Jardeleza, Leonen, Mendoza,  Perez and Velasco – shared the view that Poe is a natural-born Filipino.

Five justices – Estela Bernabe, Arturo Brion, Antonio Carpio, Teresita de Castro and Bienvenido Reyes – believed Poe is not.

Parilla said Caguioa and Peralta refused to decide on Poe’s citizenship, while Justice Mariano del Castillo did not give his opinion.

On Poe’s residency, Parilla said Sereno, Bersamin, Jardeleza, Leonen, Mendoza, Perez and Velasco opined that the senator has complied with the 10-year residency requirement. But Bernabe, Brion, Carpio, De Castro, Del Castillo and Reyes believe otherwise. – With Christina Mendez