Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON
BAGUIO CITY – Drawing applause from Baguio law students, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno reiterated on Friday she will not resign until she tells her story to the public, even asserting she now fights to keep the judiciary independent from outside forces.
“Judicial independence can only be realized when we allow our courts to exercise its constitutional mandate free of intimidation,” Sereno pointed out during a forum on judicial reforms at the University of Baguio.
Sereno, who faces impeachment, said: “I will give an account of my actions as Chief Justice to the people. I don’t owe anyone the duty to resign. I owe the people the duty to tell my story.”
Sereno then encouraged the House committee on justice to quickly vote on the probable cause for her impeachment so it could be transmitted to the Senate and allow her the opportunity to air her side.
READ: Sereno: ‘This indefinite leave is not a resignation’
Sereno is currently on leave to prepare her defense for the impending impeachment trial. /kga