SERENO RALLIES SUPPORT AFTER REMOVAL AS CJ
Malacañang welcomes move, says Supreme Court decision should be respected
Ousted Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno yesterday rallied her supporters to form a movement that will continue to defend the Constitution against “those in power who believe they are not bound by law.”
“Ang araw na ito ay hindi katapusan kundi simula lamang. Sa araw na ito, lipunin natin ang ating tapang at iparinig ang ating nagkakaisang tinig. Hindi na tayo maaaring manatiling tahimik dahil ang nananahimik ay magiging katumbas ng pagiging kasabwat sa kanilang pang-aabuso (This is not the end, but the beginning. Today, we gather our strength and let our voices be heard),” she said as she read a prepared speech shortly after the High Court voted 8-6 to grant the quo warranto petition that sought to invalidate her appointment in 2012 as chief justice.
“Isantabi muna natin ang ating mga pagkakaiba dahil may mas malaki at mas malakas na kalabang kailangan nating lahat na harapin (Let us put aside our differences because we all have to face a bigger and stronger enemy),” she said.
Lawyer Jojo Lacanilao, Sereno’s chief defense counsel, said in a television interview that they will file a motion for reconsideration. @Insoymada
Her speech was met with outrage and cheers by her supporters, who kept screaming “Laban” (fight) and “Galit kami” (we are angry) throughout.
Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, for her part, also called for unity in defense of the Constitution and democracy.
“Our last hope lies with each other. Real power lies with the people. We are urging the Filipino nation to remain vigilant and to unite our voices to defend the judiciary, the Constitution and, most of all, our democracy,” she said.
SC spokesperson Theodore Te, who announced the en banc decision, later tweeted: “I dissent.”
Lawyer Jojo Lacanilao, Sereno’s chief defense counsel, said in a television interview that they will file a motion for reconsideration.
Te, however, said earlier that the dispositive portion of the SC decision states that “it is immediately executory.”
Malacañang welcomed the landmark SC ruling. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the decision of the Supreme Court, as the “final arbiter of the law,” to oust Sereno was “an assertion of the supremacy of the fundamental law of the land.”
“The High Court has spoken. Let us respect its decision granting the quo warranto petition as the proper remedy and the quo warranto petition ruling against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno,” Roque said in a statement. /
EDITOR Lorenzo P. Niñal