Sereno, Aquino faces more complaints

FILE: Maria Lourdes Sereno taking her oath before President Benigno Aquino III (Photo by Malacañang/PCDSPO)

While the House of Representative is awaiting its last hearing on the case versus Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, the top magistrate is now facing another criminal rap, this time together with the one who appointed her – former President Benigno Aquino III.

Suspended lawyer Eligio Mallari filed graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman on February 26, against the chief justice, the former president, Judicial and Bar Councilor Executive Officer Annaliza Capacite, and former Chief of Office of Selection and Nomination Richard Pascual.

He was assisted by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) lawyer Manuelito Luna.

According to Luna, Aquino connived with the top magistrate in her appointment to replace late Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“I don’t believe that the Office of the President, then headed by Benigno Aquino III, would have vetted [Sereno]. Hindi nag-background check muna bago niya pinili si Chief Justice Sereno to be the chief justice at sa aming palagay nagkaroon ng conspiracy sa sitwasyong ito at si Maria Lourdes Sereno was part of this (He did not perform a background check on Chief Justice Sereno before appointing her as chief justice, and we think there is a conspiracy in this situation that Maria Lourdes Sereno was part of this),” Luna further said.

“Sereno’s conspiracy with Capacite and Pascual may be inferred from the facts. She also acted in bad faith when she sought exemption from the 10-year SALN requirement with the Executive Committee of the JBC though not entitled thereto – for no attempting to comply,” Mallari’s 12-page complaint read.

He then cited that the said officials violated Anti-Graft Law Section 3 Corrupt practices of public officers, Section (e) stating, “Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official, administrative or judicial functions through manifest impartiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”

Mallari further wrote that this was violated when Sereno was appointed in 2012 when she allegedly did not submit all her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN).

Currently, the chief justice is facing an impeachment case in the House committee of justice level, because lawyer Larry Gadon alleged that apart from not declaring her SALN, she is also living an extravagant lifestyle.