Sereno receives copy of complaint against her

THE camp of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday confirmed receipt of a copy of the impeachment complaint filed against the Supreme Court (SC) chief by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon.

The House committee on justice last Wednesday found Gadon's complaint "sufficient in form and substance" by a vote of 304.

The complaint accuses Sereno of corruption, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution.

Sereno was given 10 days to respond to the complaint.

Cruz said the high court chief will explain in her answer why the complaint lodged against her should be junked.

Sereno's camp earlier said that Gadon's complaint should not have been declared to be sufficient in form and substance as all allegations leveled against Sereno are untrue, unsupported by evidence and only rely on hearsays and news clippings.

But despite the filing of the complaint, Cruz said Sereno remains committed to her duties at the Supreme Court "and continues to pursue the judicial reform agenda even as the impeachment process unfolds."

"Chief Justice Sereno has always been a staunch defender of the Judiciary and our democracy, and has always exercised utmost competence, integrity, probity, and independence in her official conduct and in the performance of her function," Cruz said. (Keith A. Calayag/SunStar Philippines)