Duterte seen with Sereno impeachment accuser

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday was seen with lawyer Larry Gadon, the man who filed the impeachment complaint against the embattled Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Photos released by the Malacañang showed that Gadon was one of the guests during the inauguration of the Lisap Bridge in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro Tuesday.

In one photo, Gadon was seen mingling with the chief executive and special assistant to the president Christopher “Bong” Go.

However, it is not clear whether Duterte and Gadon engaged in a conversation, as well as the reason why the lawyer was there.

Gadon, a former counsel of now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is the president of Pro-Duterte Constitutional Reformers to Federalism.

READ: Impeachment against Sereno raises political questions

The chief executive had repeatedly denied that he was behind any effort to unseat Sereno, who earned his ire after the latter said Duterte’s decision to name “narco-judges” could lead to a constitutional crisis.

Sereno also voted against the burial of late president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Last month, the House of Representatives justice panel approved the draft of the articles of impeachment against the chief magistrate.

Sereno is being indicted on six impeachable charges that the committee said fell under the following grounds: Corruption, betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of Constitution and other high crimes.

Solicitor General Jose Calida also filed a quo warranto in March, seeking the nullification of Sereno’s appointment.

Sereno is currently on leave from her office in preparation for her looming impeachment trial at the Senate.

READ: SC orders Sereno to answer quo warranto petition at oral arguments

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