Carpio on Sereno’s leave: We want to preserve the integrity of SC

MANILA, Philippines — The justices asked Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to go on an indefinite leave to “preserve” the integrity of the judiciary, acting chief magistrate Antonio Carpio said.

“There’s a discussion on how to best preserve the integrity of the Supreme Court, how to insulate the Supreme Court from the trial [and] from all of these political moves,” Carpio said in an interview on ANC’s “Headstart” Monday.

He noted that the justices want to prove that the Supreme Court would not be affected by the impending impeachment trial against Sereno.

“The public was saying it’s affecting our work already. So we wanted to show to the public that no, the Supreme Court is functioning normally. There will be no problem with the impeachment because the chief justice is going on leave,” Carpio said.

The acting chief justice, moreover, clarified that it was the consensus of all justices, including Sereno that she goes on leave.

“Some justices asked the chief justice to go on an indefinite leave so she can prepare her defense at the Senate. There were a debate, discussion and the result was the chief justice agreed on indefinite leave,” Carpio said.

READ: SC justices: We asked Sereno to take a leave

During the first flag ceremony while Sereno is on indefinite leave, supporters of the chief justice gathered in front of the Supreme Court.
 

WATCH: Supporters of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno gather in front of SC. Justices and employees of the SC earlier held its flag raising ceremony. Sereno has gone on an indefinite leave since March 1. @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/jqvapzCkiJ

— Kristine Patag (@kristinepatag) March 5, 2018

Last week, it was revealed that Sereno would be on leave starting March 1.

Controversy followed Sereno’s leave when her spokesperson Jojo Lacanilao announced it as a “wellness leave.”

But the 13 justices refuted Lacanilao’s statement on Thursday, saying they “reached a consensus” that Sereno should take an indefinite leave.

There were speculations that the move of the magistrates last week was a prelude to ousting the embattled chief justice without impeachment.

On her second day of leave from office, an unfazed Sereno stressed that she would not step down from her post.

“Give me my day in the Senate impeachment court or admit that there is no probable cause,” she said in an event at the University of Baguio Friday.

READ: Unfazed Sereno faces public, challenges accusers