MANILA, Philippines — "My stand on what I am going through right now is a stand for the people and the Constitution."
This was what Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said in Filipino in her message to several groups who attended a mass in support of her on Thursday morning at the Parish of Holy Sacrifice in Quezon City.
The House of Representatives Committee on Justice is currently determining whether the impeachment rap against Sereno has sufficient ground.
During this week's hearing of the impeachment, complainant Larry Gadon admitted that he has forgotten who his source was in one of his allegations. He was later warned by the solons of the inconsistencies of his statement done at the "expense" of the House panel, the proceedings and the head of the magistrate.
On Wednesday, Associate Justice Teresita De Castro appeared before the House panel to shed light on the allegations of Gadon against Sereno such as the supposed falsified temporary restraining order and administrative orders said not to have the backing of the court en banc.
READ: Justice De Castro appears at impeachment proceeding vs Sereno
Gadon is a known supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte. He is accusing Sereno of corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, committing high crimes and betrayal of public trust.
Sereno, in August last year, caught the ire of the Duterte for writing a letter asking the firebrand leader to allow the judiciary to conduct its own probe on the names of alleged "narco-judges" the chief executive revealed in one of his speeches.
READ: De Castro: Sereno should've consulted me in party-list case
'My story is the story of the judiciary's reform'
Sereno also reiterated that she was appointed to the position to lead the judiciary and she would not leave her position.
"How will I leave and abort my duty to the nation?" she added in Filipino.
The chief justice reiterated that she was appointed to "ensure justice, watch over the independence of the judiciary, care of the employees of the judiciary, and institute continuous reform at the judiciary."
Sereno stressed that she was also tasked to head the judiciary to illustrate the "efficient and right turn of the wheel of justice" for the people.
She enjoined the people to look into the automated court hearings or e-courts that she initiated in her term.
The e-court hearings, according to Sereno's earlier speeches, have been of great help in decongesting the court.
Mass in support of Sereno
Sereno was attending a mass held in support of her as the House panel continues its impeachment proceedings.
Groups such as members of the #EveryWoman movement, Prayer Battalion for Truth & Justice and Alyansa ng Samahang Pantao attended.
Also in attendance were Cabinet members of the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III such as former Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and former peace adviser Ging Deles.
Members of the #EveryWoman movement earlier voiced their support for detained Sen. Leila de Lima during the height of the Congress probe into her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.
Later in the afternoon, Sereno is expected to hold a talk with members of the youth sector at the University of the Philippines College of Economics.