Let my Senate trial begin — Sereno

BACOLOD CITY – Unfazed by judges’ and court employees’ call for her resignation, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno wants the Senate convening as an impeachment court to begin her trial.

“They kept on saying that they have the evidence against me. If that is so, let the Senate impeachment proceedings begin to find out the truth,” Sereno said yesterday during a forum here organized by the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos School of Law.

While Supreme Court (SC) personnel held a “red Monday” protest against Sereno, the Negros Occidental Regional Trial Court Judges Association (NORTCJA) expressed support for the Chief Justice.

“We do not wish to be part of the issues besetting the SC and its personnel as our priority is to keep the courts open to the people,” the Negros Occidental judges said. “We are not politicians. We do not have the luxury of publicly expressing our sentiments, unless prompted by the situation. This is one of those times our voices need not be heard.”

The NORTCJA also called on other judges to remember their oath to uphold the rule of law and be non-partisan.

“We stand for an independent judiciary,” they said.

Sereno thanked the Negros judges for their support.

The Chief Justice reiterated that she would not resign.

VP backs CJ

Vice President Leni Robredo said Sereno should be given her day to defend herself before the Senate.

Robredo believes the SC will junk the quo warranto petition filed against the chief magistrate, calling it a “bad precedent.”

Robredo made the statement as the House committee on justice deferred its voting on the draft articles of impeachment against Sereno.

The Vice President said Sereno’s critics should follow the legal means of removing im- peachable officers.

“Let us respect the process. If they elevate it (impeachment complaint) to the Senate, let’s wait for the hearing so there will be an opportunity for her to defend herself,” Robredo said.

“It’s clear in the Constitution that all impeachable officers can only be removed from their posts through impeachment, not through any other means,” she said.