(Eagle News) – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday, May 15, expressed doubts the Supreme Court would reverse its decision nullifying the appointment of Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice.
“I will not speculate po ano. Hindi po dapat mag-speculate dahil ‘yan po ay tanging hukuman lang po ang makakasagot…Pero, with the decision (of SC on quo warranto petition) which is more than 150 pages, parang mahirap po ‘ata yon (ma-reverse),” Roque said.
He said that it appeared the magistrates “really thought about” their decision.
Asked if President Rodrigo Duterte already had a replacement for Sereno, Roque said, “Wala pa po kasi magkakaroon pa po ng proseso ang Judicial and Bar Council.”
He said the JBC “will have to submit a shortlist for the candidates of the Chief Justice as well as another seat for the Supreme Court.
“Bukod pa po dun sa seat na iva-vacate ni Justice Velasco who would be retiring,” he said.
Voting 8-5, the SC en banc granted the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against Sereno.
In the 153-page decision, the High Court also ordered Sereno to explain why she should not be sanctioned for violating the sub judice rule, which restricts public comments and disclosures about ongoing judicial proceedings.
Lawyer Josa Deinla, one of Sereno’s spokesperson, has said the former chief justice was “seriously considering” to file a motion for reconsideration of the High Court’s ruling.
Sereno is also facing an impeachment complaint in Congress, but Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has said he would move for a halt in the proceedings.
He said this was to ensure there would be no “constitutional crisis,” which could stem from the Supreme Court’s and the Senate’s resulting conflicting views on whether or not the chief magistrate post was currently occupied.
He said with the decision, the SC now considers the post vacant.
The Senate, on the other hand, would assume it was still occupied if it pushes through with the impeachment trial against Sereno.