Supreme Court ousts Sereno

The Supreme Court (SC), in its en banc session on Friday, May 11 ruled to unseat Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice.

The quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose C. Calida has been granted by a vote of 8-6.

Those who voted for the ouster of the chief magistrate were Associate Justices Diosdado M. Peralta, Lucas P. Bersamin, Francis H. Jardeleza, Noel G. Tijam, Andres B. Reyes, Jr., Alexander G. Gesmundo, Samuel R. Martires, and Teresita Leonardo-de Castro.

Meanwhile, six judges voted to dismiss the petition. They were Associate Justices Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Presbitero Jose Velasco Jr., Mariano Del Castillo, Marvic Mario Victor Leonen, and Antonio Carpio.

The SC’s ruling read:

“Wherefore, the petition for quo warranto is granted. Respondent Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno is found disqualified from and his hereby adjudged guilty of unlawfully holding and exercising the office of the Chief Justice. Accordingly, respondent Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno is ousted and excluded therefrom.”

“Respondent Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno is ordered to show cause within ten days from receipt hereof why she should not be sanctioned for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility and the Code of Judicial Conduct for transgressing the sub judice rule and for casting aspersions and ill motives to the members of the Supreme Court.”

“So ordered.”

The SC also declared the Chief Justice post vacant and ordered the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to start the application and nomination process.

This development, according to Calida “augurs well for the country as it preserved the stability and integrity of the Judiciary.”

DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 05/ 11 /18