De Castro: Chief Justice ‘transgressed’ en banc’s authority to supervise all courts

-- Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro yesterday said Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno created an office without the knowledge of and approval from the court en banc and then tried to give legal basis for her action.

By reviving the Regional Court Administration Office (RCAO) in region 7, which she termed as Judiciary Decentralized Office (JDO) 7, Sereno allegedly “transgressed” the authority of the court en banc, which is constitutionally vested with the administrative supervision of all courts and personnel, and the court administrator, who has the statutory duty to assist the en banc in supervising the courts.

In an unprecedented move, De Castro appeared before the House committee on justice Wednesday to testify in the ongoing impeachment hearing against Sereno.

During the televised proceedings, the associate justice affirmed that she was not being emotional. Neither did she think that her issuance of a memorandum pushing for the recall or amendment of an administrative order issued by Sereno would lead to the filing of an impeachment complaint.

“If i wanted to put down the Chief Justice, I would have filed a complaint against her or done something drastic. I didn’t take any action against the Chief Justice,” she told the committee.

She asked that it be put on record that it was the first time that she met lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, the complainant against Sereno.

In her memorandum dated December 3, 2012 a copy of which was read during the impeachment proceedings by SC Administrator Midas Marquez - De Castro assailed the resolution, AM No 12-119-SC dated November 27, 2012, because it does not reflect the “vehement objec-

tions” of the associate justices to Sereno’s Administrative Order (AO) No. 175-2012.

The said AO designated the head for JDO in Region 7 (Central Visayas) based in Cebu City. The JDO was tasked to “take full responsibility over the RCAO in Region 7.” RCAO, she said, was reopened without the court en banc’s approval.

Marquez told the committee that he was also not aware of the reopening of the RCAO until he was directed to proceed to Cebu City to attend the launching ceremonies at Radisson Blu.

Marquez said he and the justices were asked to pay for their air fares and accommodations, with an assurance of reimbursement.

In her memorandum, De Castro pointed out that “the chief justice does not have authority to create the JDO.” Neither can she unilaterally order the revival of the RCAO.

During the impeachment proceedings, De Castro sought to clear the confusion on the JDO and RCAO offices. SunStar Philippines