House won't pursue impeachment against Sereno for now, says Umali

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Reynaldo Umali (Oriental Mindoro), said on Monday that it would be “more prudent” to wait for the Supreme Court’s final ruling on ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno before making any further moves on the pending impeachment complaint against her.

Speaking on ANC's "Early Edition," Umali, the House of Representatives Justice Committee chair, noted that the high court's voting on Solicitor General Jose Calida’s petition for quo warranto was “pretty close," suggesting that the ruling could still change.

“It may be prudent to await finality of the SC decision on the matter,” Umali said.

Under the Rules of Court, Sereno is given 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration. Should her appeal be denied, the ruling becomes final and an entry of judgment will follow.

Umali has taken a softer stance on the high court's removal of the beleaguered Sereno compared to his fellow lawmakers at the Upper House of the Congress. Senators asserted that the ouster of a chief justice—an impeachable officer—rests solely with the Congressand not with the Supreme Court.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, also a lawyer, has put his foot down and stated that the Congress has jurisdiction over the ouster of Sereno. “The Chief Justice is an impeachable official who can be removed only after impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate,” he said.

Pimentel’s sentiment was echoed by his colleagues at the Senate. The senators from opposing sides became united in slamming the decision, and saying that it circumvented provisions of the Constitution.

READ: In rare display of unity, majority, minority lawmakers slam Sereno's ouster

The SC landmark ruling on the ouster of Sereno was met with strong opposition coming from different sectors of society, including law groups and government officials.

House plenary to put Sereno's impeachment to a vote?

Umali said that the impeachment case against Sereno "stays for the moment."

 "We have ruled on it at the committee level. There is need for plenary action. The matter has been submitted to the rules committee,” the justice panel chair added.

Before the Congress went on a summer break, the House justice panel voted 33-1 to indict Sereno on six “impeachable acts” on March 19. The case was filed by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, who is known to have ties with President Rodrigo Duterte and is facing at least four disbarment charges.

READ: Sereno supporters urge Senate to assert 'power' over impeachable officials

Should the House plenary vote to adopt the articles of impeachment drafted by the justice committee, the draft will be transmitted to the Senate that will act as the impeachment court.