Sereno needs consent of SC to testify–defense

MANILA, Philippines — Even if Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno volunteers to testify before the Senate, she will still need the approval of the Supreme Court (SC) to appear before the impeachment court.

Lawyer Karen Jimeno, a spokesperson of the defense panel said on Monday that in order to maintain the integrity and independence of the justices, Sereno will need to keep in mind that she was bound by the rules of the high tribunal which maintained that its deliberations remain confidential in nature.

“Ito’y isang bagay ‘di pwedeng gawin pag ‘di payag ang majority sa Supreme Court (This is something that can’t be done if the majority of the Supreme Court does not agree),” she said.

The prosecution panel should have ironed out details on their witnesses when they filed their manifestation and compliance to the impeachment court, Lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho said. “Ordinarily before filing a complaint, the evidence and witnesses should be ready.”

He added that although the invitation of witnesses was the prosecution’s prerogative and discretion, it was wrong “para ipilit na maglabas ng subpoena at bigyang duda ang resolution ng Supreme Court (for them to insist that a subpoena be issued and cast doubt over the SC resolution).” He is pertaining to the February 14 resolution of the high tribunal which barred its justices and employees from testifying to the impeachment trial.

He however said that they would welcome Sereno’s move to voluntarily testify at the impeachment trial given that it did not violate the rules of the Supreme Court.

He added that the justices part of their list of witnesses submitted to the impeachment court even before the Supreme Court’s February 14 resolution would no longer be asked to testify but may still volunteer to do so.