MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ping Lacson did not hold back in his tweet that served as his reaction to the Supreme Court majority's decision on Friday.
Lacson, who is usually identified with the Senate majority, joined many of his fellow lawmakers in condemning the removal of the chief justice by her own colleagues in the high court.
The 1987 Constitution provides that top officials such as the president, vice president and chief justice are removed through an impeachment trial.
The latest Supreme Court decision, however, effectively robs the Senate of the opportunity to hear the impeachment case brought before the House of Representatives against Sereno.
READ: Historic SC ruling on Sereno ouster may have constitutional consequences
Lacson did not take this well. "Ang biggest 'winners' sa SC decision ay ang mga abogadong pulpol na handa sanang magkalat ng katangahan sa impeachment trial na hindi na mangyayari dahil malamang hindi na ipadala ng House ang Articles of Impeachment sa Senado."
("The biggest winners in the SC decision are moronic lawyers whose dullness would be evident in an impeachment trail, which will not happen because, naturally, the House will no longer send the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.")
Ang biggest ‘winners’ sa SC decision ay ang mga abogadong pulpol na handa sanang magkalat ng katangahan sa impeachment trial na hindi na mangyayari dahil malamang hindi na ipadala ng House ang Articles of Impeachment sa Senado.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) May 11, 2018
While the senator did not name any of lawyers he was referring to, Larry Gadon, known for his loyalty to late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and legal work for former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was a main accuser of Sereno in the impeachment case.
Gadon earned criticisms for flipping the bird at protesters outside the Supreme Court summer court in Baguio City in April. On Friday, Gadon hailed the ruling against Sereno at a press conference following the announcement.
The quo warranto petition the high court ruled in favor of was also the work of Solicitor General Jose Calida. In filing the petition in March, Calida asked the court to declare her appointment in 2012 invalid.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio was also leading an anti-Sereno rally outside the Supreme Court in Manila on Friday. He served as counsel in high-profile cases for politicians and government officials.