By Rey G. Panaligan
Solicitor General Jose C. Calida, in behalf of the government, has asked the Supreme Court to affirm its May 11 decision that ousted Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno as Chief Justice and head of the Judiciary.
Sereno had filed a motion to reconsider the decision.
SC sources said Sereno’s motion, including Calida’s comment, would be taken up and decided by the SC during its full court session on June 19.
If the decision is affirmed, the May 11 ruling becomes final and the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) – the constitutional office that accepts, screens, and nominates appointments to the Judiciary – will start accepting applications and nominations for the post of Chief Justice.
Under the Constitution, the President has 90 days to fill up the Chief Justice post from the time the vacancy occurred and selected from the list that would be submitted by the JBC.
In a comment required by the SC on Sereno’s motion, Calida said the High Court’s ruling on his quo warranto petition did not violate the separation of powers vested in the Constitution.
Sereno, several lawmakers, and even the Integrated Bar of the Philippines have insisted that a Chief Justice can be removed from office only by impeachment.
