2 SC justices refuse to inhibit from impeach-related cases

MANILA, Philippines—Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno refused to inhibit from handling the petitions questioning the validity of the articles of impeachment filed against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

High court Spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said Tuesday that both Carpio and Sereno refused to inhibit.

“Motions to inhibit have been denied. Motions for inhibition are addressed to the individual justices,” Marquez explained.

Lawyers Alan Paguia and Homobono Adaza on Monday asked Carpio and Sereno to inhibit from participating in the impeachment related petitions.

Paguia said there is already a conflict of interest when the two released a summary of their SALN (Statement of Assets and Liabilities]. He said such act shows support “to the administration’s unabashed support for the impeachment.”

Carpio has been accused of conspiring with Malacañang to oust Corona while Sereno is an appointee of President Benigno Aquino III.

Several petitions are pending with the Supreme Court questioning the validity of the articles of impeachment-petitions filed by lawyer Oliver Lozano, whistleblower Danilo Lihaylihay, lawyer Vladimir Cabigao, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines Vicente Millora, lawyers Homobono Adaza and Alan Paguia.