UP Diliman files yield just one SALN of Sereno

Only one copy of the statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) can be found in the records of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno with the University of the Philippines Diliman prior her appointment to the Supreme Court in 2010.

On Monday, the UP Diliman Human Resource Development Office told the hearing conducted by the House justice committee on the impeachment complaint against Sereno that they only have the top magistrate’s 2002 SALN.

The certification from UP said that the Chief Justice did not submit her SALN in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. She was said to be on official leave during those years.

“These documents were not contained in the 201 file of the Chief Justice Sereno. Her 201 records show she was on official leave at the university [during these years],” the certification said.

Sereno served as associate professor in UP Diliman from 2000 to 2009.

Rep. Henry Oaminal, at this point, said: “Upon hearing from the representative of UP informing this committee that only one copy of SALN can be found in the records, this committee had caused the issuance of subpoena duces tecum requesting the Ombudsman for copies of Sereno’s SALN.”

The House justice committee is on its 7th hearing to determine the probable cause to impeach Sereno. The hearing stemmed from the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon against the Chief Justice.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chairman of the House justice committee, said Monday’s hearings will be the last for 2017.             /kga