Sereno as opposition ‘rallying figure’? You’re doomed – Palace
It would be a mistake for the opposition to make ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as their “rallying figure” against the Duterte administration.
Such was the declaration of Malacañang, as Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said: “Ang tingin ko po ay talagang desperado ang oposisyon. Naghahanap sila ng isang rallying figure at ang napili po nila ay si Chief Justice.”
“Isang pagkakamali po ito dahil kung maniniwala po tayo sa lahat ng surveys, hindi po pinagkakatiwalaan si Chief Justice, at napakababa po ng approval rating ni Chief Justice,” Roque further told reporters in Malacañang. “So kung iyan na po ang magiging rallying figure ng opposition, you’re doomed.”
On Thursday, Sereno called for the resignation of President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming that he was behind her ouster as the country’s top magistrate.
“Well, wala po kaming nakikitang dahilan kung bakit dapat mag-resign ang ating Presidente,” Roque said.
The Palace official insisted that it was Sereno who violated the Constitution and not Duterte.
READ: Palace hits back at Sereno: She violated Constitution; Duterte did not
“Sa kaso po ni Chief Justice, siya po ang lumabag ng Saligang Batas dahil hindi po siya sumunod doon sa requirement na mag-sampa ng statement of assets, liabilities and net worth,” he said.
“So wala pong kahit na anong probisyon sa Saligang Batas ang nilabag (ng) Presidente,” he said.
Voting 8-6, the Supreme Court removed Sereno from the high tribunal, as it granted the quo warranto petition of Solicitor General Jose Calida againstt Sereno on May 11.
“Mukhang may problema naman talaga si Chief Justice sa pakikitungo sa mga kasama niya sa Korte Suprema. Ang problema sa Pilipinas, ‘yung samahan ng isang institusyon. Pero dito kay Chief Justice, siguro dahil sa problema sa mga kasama niya, parang sila lang ang nagsama-sama laban sa kanya,” Roque said.
“So ang aking advice po kay Chief Justice, wala pong ibang sisisihin kung hindi ang inyong sarili sa inyong pagkakatanggal sa Korte Suprema,” he added.
Roque advised Sereno to look at the mirror to see who was behind her ouster.
“Tumingin lang kayo sa inyong salamin at makikita niyong imahe, ‘yan po ang responsable sa pagkakatanggal niyo. Kayo po ang lumabag sa Saligang Batas. Kayo lang po ang hindi nakipagsundo sa mga kasama niyo sa punto na pinatalsik kayo,” he said. /kga
