House tackles sufficiency of Sereno impeachment

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Thursday started its deliberations on whether the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has sufficient grounds.

House Justice Committee chair Reynaldo Umali said they will determine if there are sufficient grounds for Sereno’s impeachment based on the allegations in the complaint filed by lawyer Larry Gadon and other pleadings from both parties.

Gadon sought the ouster of Sereno on the grounds of culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, other high crimes and betrayal of public trust.

Sereno’s camp filed a verified answer calling for the dismissal of Gadon’s complaint, noting that the charges are “totally false” and “absolutely without any basis on the facts.”

In his 32-page reply, Gadon described Sereno’s verified answer as a “litany of lamentable lies and lame logic” designed to maneuver her escape from impeachment.

Sereno said in a 30-page rejoinder that Gadon’s reply failed to substantiate the allegations in his impeachment complaint, noting that his arguments are insufficient, without any evidence, and are even contradictory to his own allegations.

“We will take into consideration not just the complaint but also the answer, reply and rejoinder,” Umali said.

Umali, however, said that the committee will not allow Sereno’s request to cross-examine witnesses through her legal counsel.

Sereno has filed two letters asserting her right to allow her lawyers to confront and cross-examine witnesses on her behalf during the impeachment proceedings.

Umali said the determination of sufficient grounds is akin to a preliminary investigation wherein cross-examination is not allowed. (Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)

Popular

Corruption issues won’t affect PH chairship of ASEAN 2026 —PBBM

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday stressed that local political issues of any member state will not overshadow the regional and...

PH to raise South China Sea Code of Conduct as 2026 ASEAN chair —PBBM

By Brian Campued The Philippines is in the process of putting together the different elements where it believes the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)...

ASEAN, China sign free trade upgrade

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday joined fellow leaders at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the signing of...

PBBM notes maritime cooperation as key for regional peace, stability

By Brian Campued Citing the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel as well as the ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the...