Harry Roque to CJ Sereno : Resign and spare the Judiciary from further damage

Incoming presidential spokesperson Harry Roque calls for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to resign.

"I call upon Chief Justice Sereno to really consider resigning if only to spare the institution from further damage,” he said.

“I don’t think the judiciary can survive another decision to remove another sitting chief justice,” he added. *

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno (Photo credit to ABS-CBN)

Roque, believes the judiciary cannot survive another Chief Justice being impeached for being guilty of wrongdoing for the second time. The Presidential spokesperson is referring to the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was removed from his office through impeachment by the allies of the former President Noynoy Aquino.

Corona was removed through impeachment after the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, it found him guilty of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to fully disclose his wealth.

CJ Sereno, is facing the same impeachment case on top of other allegations of mismanagement in the funds/affairs of the high court.

Roque, was asked if his statements reflect the same sentiment of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Roque said “of course”.

"We cannot wait for that. If we were to wait for that, it is the finding of guilt that will undermine the independence of the judiciary. So I call upon Chief Justice Sereno to really consider resigning if only to spare the institution from any further damage," Roque said in a press briefing.

Roque, an outgoing member of the House of Representatives, added that as member of the chamber’s committee on justice, he believes the allegations against the chief magistrate are supported by “convincing evidence.” *

Roque. also clarified that Malacañang is not undermining the independence of the 3rd branch of the government, the Impeachment process is a legal and valid procedure as entrenched in the constitution.

Also, he explains that there is no intention to pre-empt the Senate re the case against the Chief Justice, he reveals that when he was in Congress, he had access to evidence against Sereno which made him “very bothered” by the allegations.

 

Report from CNNPhilippines