By ADRIAN STEWART CO and PRINCE GOLEZ
MANILA – Sacked Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno dared President Rodrigo Duterte to step down after the latter denied having a hand on her ouster.
Speaking at an Integrated Bar of the Philippines forum in Ortigas on Thursday, Sereno said the President must stay true to his promise of resigning if proven to be behind her removal.
Sereno stressed that the quo warranto petition, which the SC granted, was initiated by Solicitor General Jose Calida who is under the President.
“Pang-ilang beses na natin narinig na magre-resign siya? Galing sa kaniyang bibig, ang pag-amin na siya ang pasimula at magpupursigi sa pagtanggal sa akin. Puwes, ginoong Pangulo, mag-resign ka na,” Sereno said.
She added, “Sabi niya ‘pag napatunayan na siya ang may gawa, magre-resign siya. Pangulo, mag-resign ka na. Ginulo niyo kami sa Supreme Court.”
Duterte reiterated on Wednesday that he is willing to step down from his position if proven that he has ordered Sereno’s ouster.
“If there is one congresswoman or congressman or a single justice na magsasabing may kinausap ako diyan, I can guarantee you I will resign,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque slammed Sereno for “grandstanding and seeking media coverage” to attack Duterte.
“The former top magistrate has been engaged in grandstanding and seeking media coverage, pointing an accusing finger at President Duterte,” Roque said.
He added that Sereno must “closely look at the mirror to see who is behind the Supreme Court ruling.”
“She herself violated the Constitution by not filing her SALN (statement of assets, liabilities and net worth), and she herself alienated her own colleague at high court. The President has not violated the Constitution, and unlike the former Chief Justice, PRRD enjoys high satisfaction, approval, performance and trust ratings from the Filipino people,” Roque said./PN
