Impeach raps against Sereno to be archived upon ouster — Umali

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will shelve the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno if the quo warranto petition to oust her is granted by the Supreme Court (SC), Rep. Reynaldo Umali said yesterday.

“If there will be an overwhelming vote favoring the petition, I will recommend that the impeachment complaint against her be archived… But if there is a close vote in favor, we will play it by ear. We will wait for the final SC ruling before making our final action,” said the House committee on justice chairman.

If ousted, that decision could render the impeachment process moot and academic.

He believes that the petition, filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, will be granted if viewed from the 13-0 vote that the SC made when it deliberated on Sereno’s recent indefinite leave.

“I think the numbers will no longer differ so much. If they differ, I guess it’s just about one or two changing votes and siding with the Chief Justice,” Umali, who presided over Sereno’s impeachment at the House, said.

The House committee on justice report was already transmitted to the committee on rules for referral to the plenary when Congress resumes session on May 15. Voting 33-1 in favor last March 19, the justice committee endorsed the impeachment although this still needs the approval of the 292-member House plenary before it can be finally sent to the Senate for trial.

Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting said there is no problem if the SC decides to grant the petition.

“If the quo warranto petition is granted, the impeachment becomes moot and academic. No need to vote,” Tambunting, chairman of the House committee on games and amusement, explained further.

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