ILOILO City – The president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Iloilo Chapter expressed surprise at the Supreme Court (SC) decision ousting Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
The SC justices voted 8-6 for Sereno’s removal from office – a favorable ruling to the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida.
According to Atty. Leo Sombiro, impeachment and not a quo warranto petition is the process to remove a sitting SC justice.
Among others, said Sombiro, the quo warranto petition against Sereno was already beyond the prescription period set by the rules of court.
Section 11 of Rule 66 of the Rules of Court provides that a petition for quo warranto must be filed within one year after the cause of action arose.
In the case of Sereno, this was when her appointment was made and/or the time she assumed office as Supreme Court Chief Justice, said Sombiro.
“If you look at it, dugay na ni ‘ya. During the time of PNoy (President Benigno Aquino) pa,” he stressed.
Sombiro added that the Supreme Court supposedly has no power to question the integrity of the Chief Justice because it is the Judicial and Bar Council and the President of the Philippines who has the power to question such during the vetting for Chief Justice.
Sombiro clarified he has yet to read the SC decision but expressed concern this could affect the stability and independence of constitutional offices and the security of tenure of officials in these offices.
“Kami sa legal circle nakibot. This is not what we expect from the Supreme Court,” he said.
Atty. John Edward Gando, board member of IBP-Guimaras Chapter, said he was also surprised by the SC decision.
“Nakibot ako. I was thinking all the while nga they will deny the petition,” he said.
Gando clarified, too, he has yet to read the whole SC decision but like Sombiro is concerned, too, that such ruling could affect the tenure of impeachable officers.
“Kay bangod nga pwede mo man sila gale mapahalin via quo warranto, indi via the impeachment process,” said Gando./PN
It is simple said that all justices who vote are ignorant of the law and vote according to politics. That how dirty and immature politics in Philippines. These justices are work as puppet according to the grand magician command.
Di mo pa pala nabasa ang decision ah tapos yak yak ka ng yak yak Atty. Leo … hehehe