Sereno defends statements vs SC justices

Ousted chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno yesterday said she should not be sanctioned by the Supreme Court (SC) for supposedly violating the Code of Judicial Conduct because she was just defending herself when she spoke against the other SC justices.

Last May, the SC not only unseated Sereno through a quo warranto case for failing to submit her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth but also asked her to explain why she should not be sanctioned for “casting aspersions and ill motives” to her colleagues in the high tribunal.

In a statement, Sereno said she “cannot reasonably be expected to keep her silence despite vigorous assaults on her integrity” at the height of efforts to kick her out of office.

“It would certainly be unjust to punish respondent for speaking publicly under the circumstances,” Sereno said.

In her compliance, Sereno reiterated her request for the inhibition of six magistrates –Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam and Samuel Martires – from her case, citing their bias against and animosity toward her not only in the quo warranto but also in the impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives.

Sereno also said it would be the “height of injustice” if her calls for fairness would be the basis to remove her from the rolls, as she insisted on the disqualification of the six SC justices pursuant to her right to be heard by an objective and impartial tribunal.

According to the former chief justice, administrative proceedings against judges and lawyers are instituted precisely to ensure compliance with the canons of professional ethics enshrined in the Code of Professional Responsibility and the New Code of Judicial Conduct.

She also said her public statements about her case were made as a “party-litigant” and not as counsel or a judge.

Sereno pointed out she was “directly affected” by the outcome of the case and “cannot be expected to be as circumspect or as detached as a usual legal counsel.”