4 groups urge Sereno to quit, but Sereno insists: I will not resign

FOUR judges and employees associations, out of the existing 15, called for the resignation of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno Monday, March 12, amid the impeachment proceedings against her.

But the embattled Chief Justice, in a press conference organized by the Coalition for Justice at the Bahay Kalinaw in the University of the Philippines, reiterated that she will not step down, but will continue to fight the battle for judicial independence.

“I will not resign,” she said, as she explained that giving up her post would only “erode the independence of the Supreme Court” and embolden those who are seeking to undermine the Constitution.

The four groups reportedly read their statements calling for Sereno’s resignation at the flag-raising ceremony at the Supreme Court.

In a letter signed by the leaders of the four groups, they said the right thing to do for Sereno is to resign.

"Kami po ay nananawagan, para na rin po sa kapakanan ng buong sambayanang Pilipino na kayo po ay bumaba na sa puwesto at magbitiw bilang punong mahistrado o Chief Justice," the letter read.

Signatories to the letter are Philippine Judges Association president Judge Felix Reyes, Philippine Association of Court Employees president Maria Fe Maloloy-On, Supreme Court Assembly of Lawyers Employees president Rene Enciso, and Supreme Court Employees Association president Erwin Ocson.

The leaders said the impeachment proceedings against Sereno at the House of Representatives have placed the entire judiciary in disgrace, thereby affecting the honor of its justices, judges, officials and rank and file personnel.

They stressed that the judiciary can no longer endure an environment brought by the impeachment hearings against Sereno.

"Court officials have been pitted against each other resulting in a distressing atmosphere."

"Its officials and personnel, truly dedicated and conscientious and public servants cannot go through another set of hearings and go against each other again at the senate," they said.

They said that although it is painful for them to call for the chief magistrate's resignation, they will do so for the good of the judiciary.

"Chief, it's time to let go. Please let the judiciary move on," they ended.

Sereno, for her part, said she was “sad” that these groups have “entered the political fray.”

But she claimed the these groups merely succumbed to pressure and that two major groups “have refused to be used as pawns” and “resisted the call for my resignation.”

If she resigns, she said it would mean that she does not uphold the rule of law, which gives every accused person the right to be heard and defend himself.

“Sa Senado lamang po, at hindi sa resignasyon, ang aking pagasang marinig. Kung susuko po ko, sinasabi ko na rin sa bawat Pilipino na sumuko sa hirap ng paninindigan sa buhay, lalung lalo na sa pagtatanggol ng ating karapatan at ng demokrasya,” she said.

Sereno's camp earlier said that employees calling for the Chief Justice's ouster were afraid and pressured.

The House committee on justice, the panel tackling Sereno's impeachment, on March 7 found probable cause to impeach Sereno.

A working group is currently drafting the committee report and the articles of impeachment, which will be presented for approval by the committee this week before these are endorsed to the committee on rules and then to the plenary.

If approved by the plenary, the complaint will be endorsed to the Senate for trial.