By Rey G. Panaligan
The petition that sought the disqualification and ouster of Chief Justice-on leave Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno as head of the Judiciary is now officially submitted for resolution with the filing yesterday of the parties’ respective memorandum, the last pleading required by the Supreme Court.
Acting Chief Justice Antonio T. Carpio had earlier said: “By next month, we should be able to decide it.”
Sources said that the SC justice to whom the petition filed by Solicitor General Jose C. Calida was assigned through raffle had prepared a draft decision based on the petition, the comment, and the reply to the comment filed by the parties.
They said the draft decision would have been taken up during the SC’s full court session last April 3 in Baguio City where the justices are holding their traditional summer sessions.
But they said Sereno filed a motion last April 2 for an oral argument which was granted by the SC. Thus, an oral argument was held last April 10 in Baguio City.
Sereno was required to appear personally and testify under oath. Sereno did. After the oral argument, the SC required both Sereno and Calida to file their memorandum not later than April 20 with no extension allowed.
In seeking Sereno’s disqualification and ouster, Calida said she failed to comply with the requirements of the Judicial and Bar Council of filing 10-year Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth when she applied for the Chief Justice post.
“Sereno’s repeated failure to file her SALNs, and her dishonesty before the JBC are demonstrative of her obstinate refusal to comply with the law and accordingly, her utter lack of integrity,” Calida said.
