THE Supreme Court (SC) decision to oust Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno "augurs well for the country, as it preserves the stability and integrity of the judiciary," said Solicitor General Jose Calida in a statement Friday, May 11.
"This decision is the epitome of its exercise of judicial independence," Calida said after the SC voted 8-6 Friday, May 11, granting the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General against Sereno.
The SC, in its decision, said Sereno was found "guilty of unlawfully holding and exercising the office of the Chief Justice." The order is immediately executory, said the court spokesperson Theodore Te.
Those who voted in favor of Calida's petition were justices Diosdado Peralta, Francis Jardeleza, Lucas Bersamin, Andres Reyes, Noel Tijam, Samuel Martires, Alexander Gesmundo, and Teresita Leonardo-De Castro.
"I would like to extend my appreciation to the learned magistrates of the Supreme Court for once again upholding the primacy of the Constitution," said Calida.
He added that the magistrates "stayed true to their oath and faithfully adhered to the rule of law," despite the "raucous voices of those pretending to champion the Constitution."
Sereno earlier contested the validity of Calida's petition, stressing "quo warranto" is not the proper remedy to remove a Chief Justice. She said she could only be ousted through impeachment proceedings, which the House of Representatives had been conducting.
But with the SC decision, the House is expected to terminate impeachment proceedings against Sereno.
"I implore the Filipino people to continue the fight against those intending to undermine the stability and integrity, not only of the judiciary, but also of the government as a whole," said Calida. (LMY/SunStar Philippines)