🕓 Last Updated: June 28, 2023, 6:57 pm (PH time)
The justice committee deliberates the allegations against Sereno, the Supreme Court Chief Justice.
Led by Rep. Umali, the House of Representatives Justice committee deliberates the allegations against Sereno, the Supreme Court (SC) chief justice, to establish a probable cause on the ground of culpable violation of the Constitution.
The verified complaint of Atty. Larry Gadon accuses Sereno of at least three (3) instances of falsification: falsifying an SC resolution twice and falsifying an SC temporary restraining order (TRO).
At the onset of the deliberation, the Committee raises some house rules on whether non-members of the Committee can participate. First raised by Rep. Lagman, a non-member of the Committee, and supported by Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
The majority maintained that non-members should not participate due to time constraints as the impeachment process allows the House in just 60 session days.
Cross-examining Gadon, no chance; Canlas named
As the justice committee deliberates three allegations against Sereno, it ruled that Sereno’s counsel is barred from cross-examining Atty. Gadon. While some members of the Committee argued that there is no falsification since the internal rule of SC allows Sereno to render actions on matters when the SC is on recess, Gadon refused. He said the case for a TRO is already assigned and drafted by SC Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro. Hence, the rule on recess and urgency, where Sereno is allowed to render actions, is not applicable.
Meanwhile, the Committee suggests that for the facts of the allegation to be established or verified, Leonardo-De Castro must be subpoenaed. But when Gadon is asked about his primary source of facts, he named Jomar Canlas of The Manila Times. RQJ
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Regel Javines is the founder and editor of Philippine Pundit. Born in Leyte and shaped by struggle, he writes truth from the margins—where politics, faith, and life converge. A blogger since 2011, his work has appeared on global citizen journalism platforms. He currently serves as a consultant for the House of Representatives’ Congressional Assistance, Response, and Education (CARE) Program and as a Project Development Officer II at the DSWD.