(Eagle News) — Solicitor General Jose Calida on Friday, May 11, hailed the Supreme Court’s decision to declare the appointment of its chief, Maria Lourdes Sereno, nullified, saying it was the “epitome of (the High Court’s) exercise of judicial independence.”
In a statement, Calida, who filed the quo warranto petition based on a letter of complaint filed by lawyer Eligio Mallari, said the decision “augurs well for the country as it preserves the stability and integrity of the judiciary.”
“Despite the raucous voices of those pretending to champion the Constitution, the magistrates stayed true to their oath and faithfully adhered to the rule of law,” he said.
He also called on the public to “continue the fight against those intending to undermine the stability and integrity, not only of the Judiciary, but also of the government as a whole.”
With a vote of 8-6, the en banc granted Calida’s petition, where he alleged Sereno was “holding unlawfully” to the post because she failed to exhibit integrity as required of applicants to the position.
For this, he noted Sereno’s alleged failure to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth when she was a professor at the University of the Philippines.
Those who voted in favor of the petition were Associate Justices Teresita de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo and Francis Jardeleza.
Sereno had asked for the inhibition of De Castro, Peralta, Bersamin, Jardeleza, Tijam and Martires.
Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco, Marvic Leonen, Estela Perlas Bernabe, Alfredo Caguioa, Mariano del Castillo and Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio dissented.
