(Eagle News) — Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Thursday said the House justice panel’s finding of probable cause to impeach her was “not unexpected.”
In an interview over CNN Philippines, Sereno said that she knew “from the beginning that the numbers were not in (her) favor.”
“And that had been repeated so many times, countless times, in fact, by the leadership of the House..,” she said.
Sereno’s statement was an echo of a statement issued by her spokesperson hours before.
Jojo Lacalinao even described the results of the House panel hearing as “anti-climactic,” with what he said was the leadership of the House panel “saying it’s a done deal, there’s marking on the wall and (that) they have enough evidence to actually convict the Chief Justice.”
According to Lacanilao, it was “just a matter” of the House of Representatives “proving its case at the Senate, which is the proper forum..”
“And I hope that this happens soon,” Lacanilao said.
“I assure you we eagerly wait for the Senate trial because that’s when the Chief Justice can actually air her side finally, which she was deprived of for the last four months,” he added.
Voting 38-2, the House justice panel found there was probable cause to impeach Sereno on Thursday.
Rep. Reynaldo Umali, panel chair, said another hearing would be held on Wednesday, March 14.
He said during that hearing, the panel would tackle the committee report and the Articles of Impeachment that would be voted upon in the plenary.
If a one thirds vote of the entire House is achieved, the chamber will then transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, which will turn itself into an impeachment court.