Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon has alleged that a certain “oligarch” was planning to bribe senators with P200 million to acquit Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in her impeachment case, a claim that the camp of the country’s top magistrate dismissed as a “detestable lie.”
Gadon said in a statement on Monday that he was “verifying information” that a still unnamed oligarch promised to bribe some senators to absolve her in the impeachment trial.
“Ang dinig ko babayaran daw nila ng P200 million ang bawat Senador na boboto ng pagabswelto kay Sereno,” Gadon said.
But Sereno’s camp vehemently dismissed Gadon’s story as a lie.
“Gadon’s claim is another detestable lie. Isang malaking kasinungalinan dagdag sa marami niyang kasalanan sa Diyos at sa bayan,” lawyer Aldwin Salumbides said in a text message to Inquirer.
Salumbides said that knowing Sereno’s upright character, the Chief Justice would not tolerate or even consider bribing the impeachment judges.
“Our Chief Justice has never been involved in bribery or corruption. Even Gadon’s verified complaint does NOT contain any allegation of bribery against CJ Sereno,” he said.
“CJ Sereno will continue to serve our people faithfully, while entrusting herself to God who vindicates the innocent while punishing the wicked,” Salumbides added.
Gadon, however, said he believes that senators will not allow themselves to be bribed as they were “dignified” persons.
“Naniniwala ako na hindi papayag ang mga Senador sapagkat sila ay dignified na tao at isipin naman nila yung kapakanan ng bansa,” Gadon said.
Gadon was the complainant in the impeachment case against Sereno filed at the House of Representatives. He is accusing Sereno of corruption, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violations of the Constitution.
The House committee on justice is holding hearings to determine whether there is probable cause to impeach Sereno. If the committee finds sufficient basis to pursue the impeachment, the House plenary will vote for the approval of the resolution setting forth the Articles of Impeachment.
If the resolution is approved by at least one-third of all House members through a vote, it would then be transmitted to the Senate.
But if the resolution fails to secure approval by the required number of votes of House members, the impeachment complaint will be dismissed. /kga