Panelo: SC denial of Sereno plea ‘final chapter’ in her ‘drawn-out drama’

Presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo. (File photo by VINCE F. NONATO / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Supreme Court’s denial of the motion for reconsideration of former chief justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno is the “final chapter in the drawn-out drama” she created, President Rodrigo Duterte’s top lawyer said.

“It behooves everybody to respect and bow to the majesty of the law. Dura lex sed lex (the law may be harsh, but it is the law),” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said in a statement on Wednesday.

Voting 8-6, the SC on Tuesday refused to reverse its May 11, 2018 decision ousting Sereno as chief justice through a quo warranto petition.

“The Constitution gives express mandate to the Supreme Court to interpret the law. It has done so in this case,” Panelo said.

Solicitor General Jose Calida had earlier filed before the Supreme Court a quo warranto petition against Sereno, questioning the incomplete filing of her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN) before the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens applicants of the judiciary.

“The Supreme Court’s decision highlights the paramount importance and necessity of integrity and accountability of public officials despite the entry of partisan politics by those who seek to polarize the people,” Panelo said.

He said the high court’s decision would now close the “drawn-out drama” Sereno has been creating.

“The recent decision by the Supreme Court dismissing the Motion for Reconsideration of Ma. Lourdes Sereno regarding her ouster as Chief Justice should serve as the final chapter in the drawn-out drama, a substantial part of which was of her own making,” he said.

The President, he said “stays committed to his constitutional task in serving and protecting the people and to ensure that all laws are faithfully observed, and effect genuine reforms in the bureaucracy for the betterment of the Filipino people.” /je