ALBAY lawmaker Edcel Lagman is asking the committee on justice to “make an exemption” for him to cross-examine Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro who might appear as witness in the impeachment hearing against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
On Wednesday, Dinagat Representative Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao moved to invite all the magistrates to explain the lack of en banc proceedings prior to the promulgation of allegedly questionable decisions by Sereno, which is one of the basis of lawyer Lorenzo Gadon’s impeachment complaint.
No one objected to her motion.
But Lagman, who is barred from participating in the impeachment hearing against Sereno, has to write Rep. Reynaldo Umali on Friday, November 24, “to make an exception to the rule.”
Earlier, the committee, upon a motion filed by Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, agreed to restrict deliberations to committee members only.
On Wednesday’s hearing, Gadon named de Castro as his informant along with Manila Times reporter Jomar Canlas.
Gadon said De Castro is willing to testify before the committee.
Lagman wrote to Rep. Reynaldo Umali on Friday, November 24, “to make an exception to the rule.”
"Following the doctrine that every rule has an exception, I am making this urgent request as an exception to the ruling of the Chair and the Committee on Justice that non-members of the committee can attend but not participate in the proceedings," it added.
Lagman said he would appreciate the committee's favorable response.
On Wednesday’s hearing, the committee decided to issue a subpoena to all the justices after Gadon stated that he does not have personal knowledge on his complaint.
Umali however said they will not invite all the justices in just one hearing as it could paralyze the work in the SC.
Sereno has been accused of altering court rulings without the knowledge of her colleagues. She has also been accused of not declaring her Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth truthfully, among others. (Keith Calayag/SunStar Philippines)
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