HUNDREDS fill the streets fronting the Supreme Court (SC) cottages in support for Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
Groups from all over the Philippines converged at the Sunshine Park, marching to the SC compound for a program and a sit in vigil gathering behind the embattled Sereno, who facing the justices in a hearing for her Quo Warranto petition.
As of Tuesday, April 11, the SC has yet to decide on the quo warranto petition to oust Sereno from office.
Sereno has tagged the process as unconstitutional.
Groups gathered at the SC compound amidst the sound of Cordilleran songs and dances led by the Cordillera Peoples Alliance in support of Sereno.
Women’s group Kaisa Ka in a statement, said steps to oust Chief Justice Sereno through different means are attacks against an independent judicial system.
They bear the imprint of this administration’s intolerance for any opposition, its penchant for tyrannical and autocratic rule and its disdain for assertive and fighting women.
The group called on women to stand in support of the embattled chief justice as her battle is not only in defense of our democratic institutions and processes but also a fight against hatred for women who dare.
Joining the rally include the Coalition for Justice, Baguio Prayer Movement, Guiding Light Christian Church, Movement Against Tyranny – Metro Baguio, Tongtongan ti Umili and Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Baguio Benguet.
Also joining the move are Alitaptap, People’s Power Volunteers for Reform, Democratic Alliance Movement of the Philippines International, Netizens for Conscience and Bravery, Pilipinas kong Mahal, EDSA 30, UPSAMASA, Win for Freedom Movement, The Silent Majority, Bagani and Everywoman.
During the quo warranto hearing, Secretary General Jose Calida in his presentation reiterated Sereno's non-submission of her various Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN) which led to her questionable appointment as chief justice.
Calida also reiterated that Sereno must prove her integrity being a chief justice.
Lawyer Salvador Poblador, representing Sereno, stated the impeachment process had commenced in the Senate functioning as the impeachment court thus the reason why she has no need to face the solicitor general.
Poblador added Sereno also did not mislead the Judiciary and Bar Council of the Philippines in her application as chief justice due to the non-submission of SALN.
Deputy Chief Justice Teresita De Castro asked Sereno about her SALN submission to which the embattled Chief Justice said she has religiously complied.