Associate Justices urged to inhibit from impeachment related petitions

MANILA, Philippines—Lawyers will ask two associate justices of the Supreme Court to inhibit from handling petitions questioning the validity of the articles of impeachment filed against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Lawyer Alan Paguia said on Monday that they will ask Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to inhibit from participating in impeachment related petitions.

Last month, the Supreme Court consolidated all the five petitions questioning the validity of the impeachment complaint against Corona. It has, however, refused to issue a temporary restraining order and asked the House of Representatives and the Senate sitting as an impeachment court for comment.

“There is already a conflict of interest. They have released a summary of their SALN (statement of assets, liabilities and net worth]. Yes, they are probably setting an example of transparency but that is also showing support to the administration’s unabashed support for the impeachment,” Paguia said in a phone interview.

The Chief Justice has already inhibited from the case.

Meanwhile, Carpio has been assigned to handle the petitions questioning the validity of the articles of impeachment.

He is the strongest contender to the chief justice post after the retirement of Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

He has been accused by Corona of being part of the conspiracy to oust the chief justice.

The high court consolidated the five petitions questioning the validity of the articles of impeachment filed by lawyer Oliver Lozano, whistleblower Danilo Lihaylihay, lawyer Vladimir Cabigao, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Vicente Millora, lawyers Homobono Adaza and Paguia.