By Rey G. Panaligan
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno terminated her indefinite leave that started last March 1 and returned to the Supreme Court as head of the 15-member High Court and the Judiciary yesterday.
Sereno returned to work two days before tomorrow’s scheduled full court session of the SC to deliberate and rule on the quo warranto case that sought her disqualification and ouster.
Her spokesperson lawyer Carlo Cruz said that the Chief Justice will preside over the full court session and later inhibit herself from the deliberation of the case filed against her by Solicitor General Jose C. Calida in behalf of the government. “Of course, she will preside, but she will recuse, she will inhibit herself when the deliberation on the quo warranto petition starts,” Cruz said.
Cruz reiterated that Sereno has never considered resignation as an option as she believes that she is “fighting for the truth and for the Constitution.”
He said that Sereno decided to terminate her leave and return to work since she has fully prepared for the possible Senate trial on her impeachment case.
The Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives has found six articles of impeachment against Sereno but has not been transmitted to the Senate for trial.
He said the Chief Justice is prepared for the SC’s full court session. “As Chief Justice, her work is not only on judicial matters but also on administrative matters,” he added.
Asked on what would Sereno do if the SC decides to disqualify and oust her, Cruz said: “Now she is here to emphasize that she will adhere to lawful and constitutional process. If that would be the decision, we will see what else could be done. It may be a motion of reconsideration. But it all depends on how they will decide.”
