Philippines’ top judge Maria Lourdes Sereno ousted after clashing with President Rodrigo Duterte
Duterte last month urged lawmakers to hasten her removal, warning otherwise ‘I’ll do it for you’
Judges of the Philippines’ top court voted on Friday to remove their chief justice, who came under pressure after clashing with President Rodrigo Duterte over his deadly war on drugs.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is one of several high-profile Philippine critics who have found themselves targeted after speaking out against the president’s signature crackdown.
“Sereno is found disqualified from and hereby adjudged guilty of unlawfully holding and exercising the office of the chief justice,” court spokesman Theodore Te told reporters.
Sereno is found disqualified from and hereby adjudged guilty of unlawfully holding and exercising the office of the chief justice
“The decision is immediately executory without further need of action from the court,” Te said, adding the vote was 8-6 against Sereno.
The Supreme Court case against Sereno, the nation’s first female chief justice, alleged she failed to file statements of assets and liabilities in years past – accusations she categorically denied.
Separately, Sereno was also facing an impeachment effort in the lower House of Representatives, a move which critics allege is part of wider efforts by Duterte to destroy foes and usher in one-man rule.
Sereno had pledged to fight the effort to oust her, saying in March: “The current state of the nation is one where perceived enemies of the dominant order are considered fair game for harassment, intimidation and persecution.”
Duterte last month urged lawmakers to “fast-track” her removal, warning otherwise “I’ll do it for you”.