‘Sereno most welcome to refute impeach raps’

MANILA, Philippines — Embattled Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is “most welcome” to submit her reply to the impeachment complaint filed against her before the House of Representatives, a senior administration lawmaker said yesterday. 

 “It’s her constitutional right to confront the witnesses. Now, if she wants to appear, then we most welcome that. Her presence there would give her that opportunity to question or to raise issues... or clarifications about alleged acts she committed,” Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said. 

 Umali, chairman of the House justice committee deliberating on the Sereno complaint, issued the statement following claims by the Supreme Court (SC) chief’s lawyers that they would submit her affidavit to the panel today. 

 “If she doesn’t (submit her reply) then it will remain un-rebutted and that will be held on if she doesn’t answer,” Umali warned, preferring to have Sereno herself swear before his committee the affidavit she will submit. 

 Sereno, along with her lawyers, insisted that the complaint of lawyer Larry Gadon “must fail.” 

 “We are expecting her to submit a written answer after the complaint was ruled as sufficient in form and substance,” Umali said, giving Sereno 10 days to refute the charges for betrayal of public trust and violation of the law governing the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), among others. 

 Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez declared that the six incumbent SC justices who manifested their desire to testify against Sereno can make their appearances before the committee.

 “Kung gusto nilang magsalita, wala tayong pipiliin diyan. Malaya silang tumestigo (If they want to speak out, we won’t be choosy on that. They’re free to testify),” Alvarez, referring to the SC justices, told anchor Angelo Palmones – himself a former Agham party-list representative – in a radio interview earlier.

The SC justices have expressed willingness to appear before the Umali committee even without the benefit of an invitation, much less a subpoena.

 Alvarez gave assurance he would not stand in the way of any SC member and other witnesses who may want to say their piece as Umali’s committee deliberates on Gadon’s complaint.