SC asked to junk ouster case vs Sereno

MANILA, Philippines — A coalition of 57 organizations led by former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr. yesterday rallied behind Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and called on the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the quo warranto petition filed against her by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

The Coalition for Justice (CFJ), composed of opposition lawmakers and leaders of civil society groups and other sectors, also urged the Senate to take an official stand in defense of its power under the Constitution to remove impeachable officials.

In a manifesto published in a newspaper, the CFJ warned SC justices that granting the petition would be “illegal” and a “betrayal of democracy.”

Guingona and over 350 other signatories supported Sereno’s argument that the quo warranto petition was unconstitutional since it was filed beyond the one-year prescription period under the law.

“The petition crushes constitutional checks and balances. It threatens every Filipino citizen’s right to a free, impartial justice system,” the manifesto read.

“The state derives its power from the people. When the key instruments of the state conspire to subvert the Constitution and democracy, the people must rise as the last bastion of rights and freedom,” it stressed.

The group also accused the SC of violating Sereno’s right to due process by allowing the five allegedly biased justices, who testified against the Chief Justice in the inquiry of the House of Representatives, to participate in the case. 

They called on Associate Justices Teresita de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza and Noel Tijam to resign.

“If the ‘Biased 5’ will not inhibit from the case, we call on them to resign,” the manifesto stated.

Other signatories include former senator Rene Saguisag, Senators Francis Pangilinan and Antonio Trillanes IV, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, former social welfare secretary Judy Taguiwalo, former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Etta Rosales, former presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Quintos Deles, former Civil Service Commission head Karina Constantino-David and members of the Makabayan bloc in Congress.

The manifesto was also signed by National Artists Bienvenido Lumbera and Benedicto Cabrera, former lawmakers, movie directors and writers, Coalition for Justice lead convenor Pastor Caloy Dino, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, running priest Robert Reyes and other leaders of religious organizations and the civil society.

In filing the quo warranto case, Calida sought the nullification of Sereno’s appointment as chief justice for her alleged failure to meet the “integrity test” when she submitted only three of her statement of assets and liabilities and net worth in 2012. The Judicial and Bar Council rules require at least 10 SALNs.

The SC is set to decide on Sereno’s case in a special session on May 11. – Marvin Sy