Palace: Sereno impeachment case not against democracy

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday countered Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno's statement that the attempt to impeach her poses a threat to the country's democracy.

Sereno, who is facing impeachment over alleged corruption and violation of the Constitution, said in an interview that nobody is safe in the Philippines if the chief justice is removed from office because of false allegations. She said the issue is getting to be larger than herself and is no longer about her but about democracy.

Sereno, who called the allegations against her "pure fabrication," stressed that the people's constitutional rights are assured if there is a "virtuous and independent" judiciary.

But presidential spokesperson Roque maintained that the impeachment complaint is something allowed under the Constitution.

"The impeachment process is a constitutional process. I do not see how a constitutional process ratified by the Filipinos when they ratified the '87 Constitution, constitute a threat to democracy. She's mistaken there," Roque said.

Roque said it would be up to Congress to handle the impeachment complaint against Sereno.

"We let the process continue. The legislature is a separate branch of government, they have exclusive and original jurisdiction to determine probable cause on impeachment complaints," he said.

"We trust Congress will do its job."

Among the allegations against Sereno are failing to declare the P37-million professional fee she received as a private lawyer who represented the government in its case against the Philippine International Air Terminals Co, using state funds to stay in luxurious hotels and to buy a Land Cruiser for personal use, and delaying action on the petition for the retirement benefits of justices, judges and surviving spouses.

Sereno has denied the allegations and has expressed readiness to prove her innocence in any proceeding.

Earlier this month, Roque said Sereno should just resign to spare the Supreme Court from "further damage."

The House justice committee has found the complaint against Sereno sufficient in form and substance. It is set to hold a hearing on Wednesday to determine if there is probably cause to pursue it.