Opposition Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said Wednesday that a second motion for reconsideration may be filed to “correct” the Supreme Court decision granting the quo warranto petition that ousted former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
“Nalulungkot tayo dahil inagaw sa atin bilang Senado yung exclusive power,” Pangilinan told reporters.
“At kami ay umaasa pa rin na baka sakali, kung magkaroon pa ng pangalawang motion for reconsideration, hangga’t maari nating i-exhaust ang all legal means to be able to correct this,” he added.
Still voting 8-6, the high court denied Sereno’s motion for reconsideration on Wednesday.
Spokesperson Theodore Te said the motion was denied with finality
But Pangilinan insisted that the court previously accommodated more than one motion for reconsideration.
“That is up to the Supreme Court, in the end. Technically, hindi na dapat magkaroon ng ganitong filing pero the Supreme Court can, if it finds it meritorious, accommodate another motion for reconsideration,” he explained.
He cited the League of Cities of the Philippines case that challenged the Constitutionality of the city-hood of 16 cities before the Court.
“Naka-lima o apat atang motion for reconsideration ‘yun at naka-ilang taon bago ito maresolba. So, sana baka sakali nagkaronon pa ng paraan para maituwid ang naging baluktot na sa ating paniwala na pasya,” he said.
Pangilinan maintained that an impeachable official could not be removed through quo warranto.
“Nakakalungkot ito dahil tayo’y naniniwala hindi nangibabaw dito ang bigat ng argument. Ang nangibabaw ay yung dami ng boto, majority,” he said.
“Kahit na freshman law student, tinapos ang constitutional law eh alam niya na maliwanag na ang tanging paraan para matanggal ang isang impeachable official ay sa pamamagitan ng impeachment trial and removal as a penalty,” he added. /cbb