(Eagle News) — The Palace on Monday refused to specifically call on Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to resign, saying it was a decision “to be made” by her alone.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, however, expressed hope Sereno would “(take) into consideration the sentiments of everyone, all the stakeholders.”
“So far, her colleagues have asked her to go on indefinite leave and the lower court judges have asked her to resign,” Roque said.
Roque issued the pronouncement after judges and court employees held a protest to call for Sereno’s immediate resignation, saying she should make the ultimate “sacrifice” to preserve the integrity of the tribunal.
The statement of Philippine Judges Association President and Marikina RTC Judge Felix Reyes, the Supreme Court Employees Association (SCEA), Supreme Court Assembly of Lawyer Employees (SCALE), the Philippine Association of Court Employees (PACE), and the Sandiganbayan Employees Association (SEA) was read during the Supreme Court flag ceremony also attended by SC justices—-Noel Tijam, Mariano del Castillo, Francis Jardeleza, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Presbiterio Velasco, Teresita de Castro, Samuel Martires.
Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna, who heads the Philippine Judicial Academy, were also present.
On the same day, Sereno insisted she would not resign, saying she was “determined to wage until the logical end this battle started by those who seek to undermine the constitution and the judiciary.”
“I am resolute in carrying on the good and noble fight for judicial independence,” she said in a press conference.
Sereno is facing an impeachment complaint and a quo warranto petition that seeks to have her appointment as Chief Justice nullified.
She has been on indefinite leave since March 1.