MANILA, Philippines – Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was a no-show at the 115th Independence Day celebration in Angeles City, Pampanga, where she was supposed to lead the event at the Pamintuan Mansion.
Photo by JAMIE ELONA/INQUIRER.net
While the Pamintuan Mansion is not among the official sites of Independence Day celebration, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines said it was where General Emilio Aguinaldo led the first anniversary of his declaration of the country’s independence from Spain in 1899.
In lieu of Sereno, NHCP Commissioner Dr. Ferdinand Lianes led the celebration in Pampanga together with Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan.
When asked about Sereno’s absence, a court officer said there was an emergency, but the official did not elaborate.
Another court officer said the NHCP was informed beforehand that Sereno will not attend the event.
This is the second time a chief justice did not participate in the country’s Independence Day celebration.
Last year, then, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio was not invited to participate in the 114th Independence Day celebration. In 2011 and 2010, former Chief Justice Renato Corona led the Independence Day celebration in Kawit, Cavite.
Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno also led the Independence Day rites at the Bonifacio Monument in 2009 and 2008.