MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives justice panel wants the camp of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to explain the "seemingly contradictory" statement on her "wellness" leave.
The House justice panel on Tuesday afternoon issued a show cause order against lawyer Jojo Lacanilao, one of the spokespersons of Sereno, and the Office of the Chief Justice. A show case requires a party to explain and justify a panel's inquiry.
Rep. Gwen Garcia (Cebu), on Tuesday's hearing, manifested before the justice panel that she would want to ask Lacanilao to explain the contradictory statements on the chief justice's leave.
READ: Sereno to go on leave starting March 1
"Lacanilao has once again given us what is obviously fake news," Garcia said.
Earlier, media reports quoting unnamed sources stated that Sereno was forced by her colleagues, during Tuesday's en banc session, to file an "indefinite leave."
Her camp, however, stated that Sereno is going on a "wellness leave," citing that she has made a "personal decision" to go on leave from court to prepare for when the impeachment complaint reaches the Senate, which will act as the impeachment court.
The chief justice's leave will start on March 1 until the 15th, her camp said.
Garcia said that she would have wanted to ask Lacanilao to explain the contradictory statements, but the panel was informed that the lawyer has already left the hall of the Congress.
Rep. Reynaldo Umali (Oriental Mindoro), chair of the justice panel, earlier admonished Lacanilao and the camp of Sereno for their supposed "deception" on the leave of Sereno.
READ: Umali slams Sereno camp for 'deception' on 'wellness leave'
Garcia moved to issue a show cause order against Lacanilao and the Office of the Chief Justice, for the office to convey the order to Lacanilao, to explain the "seeming contradiction" on the statements.
The House intends to wrap up its deliberation on the whether Larry Gadon's complaint has probable cause to oust Sereno on Tuesday's hearing.
Umali said that they will put it to vote next week.
READ: House panel to vote on probable cause to oust Sereno next week