Umali: Resignation would halt Sereno impeachment proceedings
Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali heads the House Committee on Justice, which handles the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. PNA, File
MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno would stop if she tenders her resignation, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said Thursday.
Umali, chair of the House Committee on Justice, compared the case of Sereno to former Commission on Elections Chair Andy Bautista who was facing an impeachment complaint before resigning from his post in October.
"Parang kay Andy Bautista rin na noong una ay ayaw mag-resign," Umali told radio dzMM when asked if the impeachment proceedings against Sereno would be dropped if she quits her post.
The camp of Sereno, however, had reiterated that "resigning has never been an option."
Lawyer Carlo Cruz, spokesperson of Sereno, earlier said that the Chief Justice needs to face the impeachment to preserve the dignity and independence of the Supreme Court and the Office of the Chief Justice.
The hearing on the impeachment proceedings by the House Committee on Justice is set to resume Tuesday next week as some resource persons and documents are not yet available, according to Umali.
Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro is expected to return to the impeachment hearing before the House panel.
"We will try to cover as much as we can kay Justice De Castro, kasama na rin diyan ang manipulation sa (Judicial and Bar Council). This has something to with the collegiality of SC," Umali said.
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