(Eagle News)–The House justice panel on Monday approved the committee report and the articles of impeachment against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
The panel voted 33-1 for the six articles containing 24 allegations, with only Rep.Kit Belmonte opposing the motion.
The original impeachment complaint filed against Sereno contained 27 allegations.
Included in the approved 24 allegations–which the panel said constituted a commission of high crimes, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and a culpable violation of the Constitution–were Sereno’s alleged failure to disclose some of her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, her alleged purchase of a luxury vehicle, among others.
“Lahat malakas yun,” Rep. Rey Umali, panel chair, said when asked which articles could be supported by the most evidence.
“Foregone conclusion”
According to Belmonte, the outcome was a “foregone conclusion.”
He said his position was that while Sereno did not appear to have good relations with her colleagues, this did not mean this was “enough grounds” for impeachment.
“Ang tingin namin may problema talaga..Sa actual trial na siguro makikita ang totoo,” Belmonte said.
10 session days
Umali said the majority leader has 10 session days to “dispose” of the articles of impeachment and the committee report or send them to the plenary.
But session is set to adjourn on Monday, so Umali said these would be discussed in the plenary when Congress resumes in May.
If these were approved, they would be transmitted to the Senate for trial.
“Ako ay nagagalak na ang justice committee ay bumoto ng ganito…Ang committee report na binalangkas ni Umali ay napakaganda. Nakakatiyak ako na makukuha nito ang majority votes sa plenary,” Larry Gadon, who filed the impeachment complaint against Sereno, said in a radio interview.
Sereno is also facing a quo warranto petition that seeks to have her appointment as Chief Justice nullified.