(Eagle News)–Opposition lawmaker Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Saturday urged justices of the Supreme Court to junk the quo warranto petition filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
“The eventual dismissal by the Supreme Court of the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida to oust (her) would be an opportunity for concerned justices to show that they are fair, judicious and protective of the Constitution,” Lagman said in a statement.
In urging the justices, Lagman cited Justice Marvic Leonen, who voted for the dismissal of the petition even if he was among those who urged Sereno to go on indefinite leave.
“With the seven justices who spearheaded the ouster move against Sereno desisting from voluntarily inhibiting themselves despite their manifest dislike, if not aggression, against the Chief Justice, then they can prove their impartiality by voting for the dismissal of the quo warranto petition, which in the first place is baseless, offensive to the Constitution and has expired,” Lagman said.
The petition filed this month sought to have the appointment of Sereno as Chief Justice nullified.
Calida cited as grounds Sereno’s failure to submit her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth while she was a professor at the University of the Philippines, a requirement for one to be qualified for the top magistrate post.
The House justice panel, voting 38-2, has also found probable cause to impeach Sereno.
If a one third vote of the entire House is achieved, the Chamber will transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, which will convene itself into an impeachment court.
