Sereno: Resigning is easier, but not the right thing to do
MANILA — Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said she does not doubt that it would be easier for her if she would just resign but insisted she would not do so as it would only embolden those who want a subservient judiciary.
"I do not doubt that resignation is the easier option, allowing the weight of the Office of the Chief Justice to be immediately lifted off my shoulders, freeing me to pursue and enjoy many things that ordinary citizens do. It will end the unrelenting attacks against my person, my staff and other court officials," she said in a speech at the University of Philippines Diliman yesterday.
"But I do not make choices in life on the basis of what is the easier option but what is the right thing to do," she said.
The embattled Sereno remains steadfast in her decision not to resign amid fresh calls by Supreme Court employees, all clad in red, demanding that she vacate her post during a flag-raising ceremony earlier yesterday.
The chief justice said she would fight the impeachment case against her to the end. "Resigning from my post as chief justice, will only serve to erode the independence of the Supreme Court and embolden those who demand a subservient judiciary."
Yesterday, Erwin Ocson, president of the SC Employees Association, read a manifesto asking Sereno to step down. The statement was also signed by heads of the Philippine Judges Association, Sandiganbayan Employees Union and the Philippine Association of Court Employees.
Part of the statement read: "We, the entire force of the judiciary, which includes judges, officials and court employees under your leadership, are pleading with you, our beloved Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, to do the timely and necessary sacrifice for the institution that you gave so much time and love in these past years."
Sereno further said she is resolute in going through the "thorny" process of impeachment as a stand for those who might experience the same thing. She lamented that others such as judges, commissioners of a constitutional commission and other high officials might also be "victimized."
Lawyer Josa Deinla, one of Sereno's spokespersons, told DzMM yesterday morning that the court employees demanding the resignation of the chief justice were intimidated and pressured. She said that their camp learned that the employees only received text messages to wear red and no official memorandum was given to them.
The spokesperson also said that those urging Sereno to resign should allow the chief magistrate to have her day in court so she could refute all the allegations against her.
The flag-raising ceremony on Monday, March 12, was the second "Red Monday" at the SC since Sereno has gone on an indefinite leave beginning March 1. The chief justice said she went on a leave to prepare in case the impeachment complaint against her is elevated to the Senate. Thirteen justices of the SC, however, issued a statement saying they reached a consensus during the February 27 en banc session that Sereno should take an indefinite leave, but they did not cite their reasons. —