(Eagle News) — The camp of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday decried the House justice committee’s decision to bar her lawyers from cross-examining witnesses during impeachment proceedings.
In an e-mailed statement, the lawyers who represent Sereno said the decision was “tantamount to barring CJ Sereno herself, and belies their claim of an open and democratic process that honors the right to a fair trial.”
According to them, it was “deplorable that we should have to resort to rebuttal by email just to ensure that our side is heard.”
“It is apparent that the pursuit of truth has been put aside in favor of biased political interest. The Chief Justice maintains that she is innocent of the charges against her,” they said.
The House justice panel ruled Sereno’s lawyers could not cross-examine witnesses with a vote of 30-4.
House Majority Floor leader Rodolfo Farinas had argued that based on the rules, a cross-examination of witnesses was done during the trial proper, or when the Articles of Impeachment were elevated to the Senate.
He said the impeachment hearings that were being conducted in the House justice committee did not constitute the trial itself.
He said they were being held only for determination of probable cause.