Rizal and Sereno

On the same day, June 19, as the country observed the 158th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal, our national hero who fought for the independence of our people and our country from the abusive and corrupt colonial masters, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who courageously fought for the independence of the Supreme Court and for the rights of our people against EJKs and abuses related to Duterte’s drug war, was ousted by eight justices.

From this year on, June 19 will be remembered not only for Rizal and his heroism but for Sereno’s courage as well. June 19 will also be remembered for the eight justices’ betrayal of the Constitution and the independence of the three branches of government.

The Constitution is very clear: Impeachment is the process to remove the high officials of the land, including the chief justice. Congress initiates and decides on the impeachment of high officials, not the Supreme Court.

The eight SC justices ignored the Constitution and instead voted to oust Sereno on the basis of Quo Warranto. This ouster confirmed Duterte’s complete control of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branch, represented by the Supreme Court.

Let history remember these eight justices: Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Samuel Martires, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, and Noel Tijam who penned the court’s decision. These are the eight justices who ruled that Chief Justice Sereno’s failure to submit her SALNs as Law professor at the University of the Philippines meant that “her integrity was not established at the time of her application,” making her ineligible to hold her position.

Not only did these eight SC justices disregard the Constitution. Those among them who were obviously very publicly biased against Sereno, and without delicadeza, also ostentatiously breached the rule about inhibition.

Gratefully, there are still six SC justices with their commitment and principles to uphold truth and justice as defined by God and our laws. Even if outnumbered, they did not allow politics and personal prejudices to flagrantly ignore the Constitution and the rule of law, truth, and justice.

Let our people note and let us appreciate these six SC dissenters: Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and associate justices Presbitero Velasco, Mariano Del Castillo, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Marvic Leonen, and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa. Mabuhay po kayo!

Sereno can hold her head high for her good fight for our people and God. The Filipino people understand that her ouster was politically motivated and undeserved. There are those who view her ouster as her blessing, her badge of honor. Sereno ranks among the honorable Filipinos persecuted for fighting for the independence of the court, for defending our people, and for challenging Duterte’s autocratic rule. Maraming salamat po at mabuhay po kayo!

What will happen next?

Will we witness soon the courage of those in Congress, in the legislature, who will challenge the SC majority decision and who will insist on honoring and adhering to the Constitution’s rule of impeachment?

Definitely, among those who claim victory with Sereno’s ouster, there is much rejoicing and feasting. Among them are those who believe that her ouster will stifle dissent and criticism against Duterte and this abusive administration.

The Spaniards also believed that with Rizal’s execution, the fight for independence would end. Instead, the torch for independence was passed on and was implanted deep in the hearts of nationalist Filipinos.

Beyond the June 19th ouster, likewise, the fight for truth, for justice, for human rights, and for genuine independence of our country and our people will live on.