‘I am your enemy’: Philippine chief justice returns to office but President Rodrigo Duterte wants her gone
Maria Lourdes Sereno has warned that the efforts by the Duterte administration to oust her are a threat to constitutional democracy
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno “is determined to see this through to the bitter end. No backing out,” her spokesman and lawyer Jojo Lacanilao said as Sereno returned to work in defiance of calls for her to step down.
Sereno is facing an impeachment bid in the House of Representatives, which is dominated by Duterte’s allies, but Solicitor-General Jose Calida has separately petitioned the Supreme Court to remove Sereno for allegedly failing to file statements of assets and liabilities in past years, a charge she denies.
Sereno has warned that the efforts by the Duterte administration to oust her are a threat to constitutional democracy. She said Calida’s petition, called a quo warranto, violates the country’s constitution, which stipulates that top officials, including her, can only be removed by impeachment.
Supreme Court justices may vote on the petition to remove Sereno as early as Friday in a special meeting of the 15-member tribunal. Pro-Sereno groups plan to march and hold a rally on Friday.
Critics warn approving the petition would set a dangerous precedent and give the Duterte administration a legal weapon to threaten critics.