(Eagle News) — The Supreme Court decision that granted the quo warranto petition filed against Maria Lourdes Sereno and that led to her ouster as chief magistrate may still be appealed.
This is according to Senator Kiko Pangilinan, who issued a statement a day after the SC upheld with finality Sereno’s ouster, with a vote of 8-6.
“That is up to the Supreme Court, in the end. Technically, hindi na dapat magkaroon ng ganitong filing pero the Supreme Court can, if it finds it meritorious, accommodate another motion for reconsideration,” he said.
According to Pangilinan, when the constitutionality of the cityhood of 16 cities was questioned before the court, “naka-lima o apat atang motion for reconsideration ‘yun at naka-ilang taon bago ito maresolba.”
“So, sana baka sakali nagkaroon pa ng paraan para maituwid ang naging baluktot na sa ating paniwala na pasya,” he said.
Voting 8-6, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, June 19, announced it denied Sereno’s motion for reconsideration of its May 11 ruling that nullified her appointment as Chief Justice.
In nullifying her appointment on May 11, the SC said Sereno lacked the integrity required of applicants to the chief magistrate post in the first place, as seen in her non-failure of complete Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
In denying Sereno’s appeal with finality, the SC said she did not present new arguments that warrant a reversal of the May 11 ruling.