Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s lawyers urged the House Justice Committee to cross-examine the impeachment witnesses against the chief justice on Thursday.
One of Sereno’s legal team, Lawyer Anzen Dy, filed a letter on Thursday citing House Rules sought examination and cross-examination of the witnesses who would stand for her in the proceedings.
Sereno’s team also stated that the people would testify would be considered as witnesses and not “resource persons.”
“In sum, we humbly submit that under House Rules, persons who would testify during the hearing would not be considered mere ‘resource persons’ who would be questioned solely by committee members. Those persons would be full-fledged witnesses, who would be examined by a proponent, and cross-examined by an opponent,” according to her letter.
Moreover, Sereno’s spokesperson, Lawyer Carlo Cruz emphasized that the chief justice has been respectful and cooperative during the proceedings and anticipated that she will be respected as well.
“All the Chief Justice asks of Congress — a co-equal branch of government — is that the latter be fair and follow their own rules as the impeachment proceedings unfold. These rules clearly state the Chief Justice’s right to cross-examine any witness that may be put on the stand. She asserts her right,” according to the statement of Cruz.
“Now, as the charges against her (Sereno) are deliberated upon, there are alarming indications that she will be denied the right to cross-examine those that will bear witness against her,” he added.
Cruz also stated that cross-examination is a tool to search for the truth and provide the Committee the complete information at it needs.
“If Congress remains aligned with the objective of pursuing the truth and upholding due process and fairness, then it is likewise in their interest to uphold the Chief Justice and her legal team’s right to cross-examination. After all, cross-examination is a tool to ferret out the truth and to provide the Committee with a complete picture of the material facts, and not just the side of the complainant. It is the fair, legal, and right thing to do,” he said.
Recently, Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon’s complaints against Sereno, accusing her of violation of the Constitution, corruption, and betrayal of the public has found sufficient in form and substance by the House Justice Committee, despite using newspaper clippings as evidence. | (Angelica Bobiles – PTV)