Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Judges Association and four court employees’ organizations have asked Chief Justice-on leave Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno to resign to save the Judiciary from “disrepute” that “affects the honor and integrity of justices, judges, and court employees.”
It was reported that the statement jointly issued by the PJA and the four organizations will be read in today’s flag-raising ceremony in the SC, the appellate courts, and the trial courts nationwide.
The PJA is SC-authorized association of Regional Trial Court judges with about 1,200 incumbent members nationwide. The four employees’ groups are the Supreme Court Assembly of Lawyer Employees, Philippine Association of Court Employees, the Supreme Court Employees Association, and the Sandiganbayan Employees Association. PACE is a nationwide group of court employees.
“We, the entire force of the Judiciary, which includes judges, officials, and court employees under your leadership, are pleading you, our beloved Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, to do the timely and necessary sacrifice for the institution that you gave so much time and love in these past years,” they said. They also said: “We call on you, for the sake of our people, to step down from your position as chief justice.”
“Court officials have been pitted against each other resulting in a distressing atmosphere. This is aggravated by the fact that the Court en banc has taken cognizance of the petition for quo warranto and ordered her (Sereno) to file her comment thereto, instead of dismissing it outright. The Court can no longer endure a prolonged environment of this kind. Its officials and personnel, truly dedicated and conscientious public servants, cannot go through another set of hearings and go against each other again at the Senate,” they added.
“Chief, it is time to let go. Please. let the Judiciary move on. Mabuhay ang ating Hudikatura! Sulong Korte Suprema!”
Meanwhile, it will be another “Red Monday” today at the SC where officials and employees would be wearing red clothes, neckties, and arm bands during the flag ceremony to dramatize their call for Sereno to resign.
Red Monday would also be done in various trial courts in the country. (Rey G. Panaligan)
