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[av_heading heading=’ Sereno hits House decision but hopes for fair trial ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Friday. September 15, 2017
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MANILA – Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno hopes the House of Representatives will act with fairness after declaring the impeachment case lodged against her sufficient in form and substance.
She is expecting the representatives to decide based on the merits of the case and not on their political affiliations, Sereno’s spokesperson Carlo Cruz said in a press statement.
“We remain hopeful that our Congress will decide based on the merits of the case and affirm their commitment to our democracy over partisan or parochial interests,” Cruz said.
In a 30-4 voting on Wednesday the House justice committee declared the impeachment complaint filed by Atty. Lorenzo Gadon sufficient in form and substance.
But Cruz said they reject the House’s decision and insist that none of the allegations against Sereno “rises to an impeachable offense.”
“We respectfully disagree,” Cruz said. “For this reason, we respectfully submit that the complaint cannot be considered sufficient in form and substance.”
“The complaint against her (Sereno) seems designed to maximize the political spectacle, with the goal of eroding her credibility through innuendo and malicious allegations,” said the spokesperson.
“She has been among the foremost proponents of establishing a culture of modesty and respect for public funds in the Supreme Court,” he added. “She has instituted reforms in the judiciary, and has asserted and defended the independence of the judicial branch.”
Sereno has yet to receive a copy of the complaint as of yesterday but the spokesperson assured that the chief justice will avail herself of appropriate legal remedies./PN
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