Sereno could be impeached – lawmaker

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MANILA – Citing grounds on the possible misuse of the Judiciary Development Fund, lawmakers said Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno could be impeached.

“There appears to be misuse of the JDF, and if that is confirmed in the subsequent hearings, then that is at least technical malversation… that is graft and corruption and grounds for impeachment,” Oriental Mindoro Rep.

Reynaldo Umali said, as quoted in a Philippine Star report.

“We have our different roles and functions, we can compel her to attend the inquiry through a subpoena as the sole administrator and disburser of the JDF,” he added.

Umali, vice chairman of the House committee on justice who is also investigating the possible misuse of the JDF, said that the funds may have been used on purposes other than what is provided by law.

He explained that such use might be the grounds for Sereno’s impeachment, if proven and backed by evidence.

“The JDF is collected, appropriated and disbursed exclusively and solely by the Chief Justice and that is wielding all the powers of all three branches of government,” Umali said.

Umali was also among the House prosecutors who lead the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.