Duterte won't meddle in Sereno impeach raps

MANILA - Malacañang said Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte would not meddle in the impeachment complaints filed against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag, in a press conference, said the executive branch would not influence the House of Representatives' decision on petitions seeking Sereno's removal from her post for alleged culpable violations of the Constitution.

Banaag said the Office of the President respects the filing of the complaints against Sereno because that is "within the bounds of law."

"We respect the decision of whoever filed the case against the Chief Justice. And of course, we stand by that the President respects the separation of power of each of our government agencies. If the House of Representatives would endorse then that is up to them," said Banaag.

"When a civilian or any person on that matter would file a complaint against any officials, an impeachable officers, then that is up to them because that is within the bounds of the law. If a civilian or any person would do that or any person would do that then that is up for the House of Representatives to handle or tackle," she added.

Two impeachment complaints were filed against Sereno at the House on Wednesday but both failed to secure an endorsement from any lawmaker.

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution said Sereno culpably violated the 1987 Constitution when she issued administrative orders in the absence of the SC en banc's authority and appointed several government officials. SunStar Philippines