Sereno camp expects impeachment draft approval

FILE: CJ Maria Lourdes Sereno (Photo by Supreme Court of the Philippines)

After the House of Representatives Committee on Justice approved six article drafts of the impeachment against the high magistrate on March 19, her camp said that they expected this outcome.

“The committee report, as predicted, sets forth matters that are either contrary to evidence presented to the committee or manifestly biased or one-sided, and that fail to rise to the level of impeachable offenses,” one of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s spokespersons, Jose Deinla said.

According to Deinla, the vote was expected and anticipated by their camp.

Furthermore, she added that Sereno was “eagerly waiting” for the impeachment hearings to escalate to the upper chamber of the congress – hoping for a “fair trial.” The high magistrate is also “thoroughly and fully” preparing her defense for the Senate, the spokesperson added.

Earlier on Monday, the Justice panel headed by Oriental Mindoro Representative Reynaldo Umali approved 24 out of 27 allegations cited by impeachment complainant Attorney Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon.

(Read: House panel approves impeachment articles vs Sereno)

“The articles of impeachment will be the foundation in prosecuting this impeachment case before the Senate as an impeachment court,” the Oriental Mindoro congressman said.

He then added, “These six articles [of impeachment] are anchored on strong evidence – documentary and testimonial that will stand trial. They are rooted from the finding of psychological and mental disorder of the Chief Justice.”

A majority of 33 of the Justice Committee voted for the approval, with only one dissenter – Quezon City Representative Jose Christopher Belmonte.

The complaint against Sereno had four grounds for impeachment namely, culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

Sereno, since March 1, has gone on an indefinite leave but remained firm with her defenses and stance regarding the impeachment complaint.