2 SC justices, Bar council execs at Sereno impeachment hearing

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno INQUIRER File photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Two Supreme Court justices, officials and members of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) are present at the House justice committee’s 13th hearing on the determination of probable cause in the impeachment against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

SC Associate Justices Teresita De Castro and Diosdado Peralta heeded the invitation of the committee chaired by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali to attend Monday’s resumption of hearing.

For the first time, SC spokesperson Theodore Te also attended the hearing. He will explain allegations that Sereno falsified or allowed the issuance of an SC resolution about the alleged involvement of four judges in illegal drugs.

The House panel summoned the JBC members to shed light on allegations that Sereno manipulated the JBC shortlist to exclude now SC Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza.

Among the JBC members present are Annaliza Ty-Capacite, Jose Mendoza, Toribio Ilao Jr., Maria Milagros Cayosa, Jose Mejia, and Socorro Inting.

In his opening statement, Umali said the committee would have two more hearings until they vote on whether there was probable cause to try Sereno. /cbb