MANILA – Delaying its decision on the quo warranto petition filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, the Supreme Court decided on Tuesday to hold oral arguments first.
The oral arguments were scheduled on April 10 in Baguio City, where the magistrates were holding their annual summer session, high court spokesman Theodore Te said.
Another Supreme Court source told Panay News that several magistrates wanted Sereno to personally appear at the oral arguments to answer questions.
Sereno was currently on indefinite leave as she prepares for possible impeachment proceedings.
Office of Solicitor General Jose Calida initiated the quo warranto petition against Sereno, questioning the chief justice’s qualification to occupy the position.
A quo warranto proceeding is initiated by the government to remove an unqualified official from their position, as stated under Rule 66 of the Rules of Court.
Calida said Sereno should consider the quo warranto petition “an act of kindness to a fellow lawyer” since it would spare her from the “indignity” of an impeachment.
Then President Benigno Aquino III appointed Sereno chief justice in 2012 after the late Chief Justice Renato Corona was removed via impeachment over undeclared wealth.
Sereno was being accused of a similar violation. Lawyer Larry Gadon, who filed the impeachment complaint, claimed the chief justice was having a lavish lifestyle without full declaring her income.
The House of Representatives Committee on Justice has approved six Articles of Impeachment against Sereno.
If the House plenary approves these when Congress session resumes in May, they will be transmitted to the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court./PN
