10 SC justices join court employees in red protest vs Sereno

SHOW OF DISMAY With hands on their chests, employees of the Supreme Court wear red during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony to show their dismay over perceived irregularities involving Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

It is likely that Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who is expecting to be impeached in the House of Representatives and to stand trial in the Senate, has literally seen red.

A number of Supreme Court employees appeared at the weekly flag-raising ceremony at the tribunal’s main compound on Padre Faura Street in Manila on Monday, wearing red shirts or sporting something red.

As expected, 10 of the 13 magistrates who compelled the Chief Justice to take an indefinite break last week showed up at the gathering, which was also attended by members of the Philippine Judges Association.

The justices were greeted by court workers with applause and loud cheers when they appeared for the 8 a.m. ceremony.

Among those present was Associate Justice Samuel Martires, who wore a red long-sleeved shirt and necktie under a dark suit.

Martires, President Duterte’s first appointee to the tribunal, reportedly engaged Sereno in a verbal tussle and challenged her to resign during the full-court session last week.

Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Andres Reyes Jr. and Lucas Bersamin also sported red neckties, while Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro wore a red floral dress.

Also at the event were Associate Justices Francis Jardeleza, Mariano del Castillo, Marvic Leonen, Noel Tijam and Alex Gesmundo.

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice and Philippine Judicial Academy chancellor Adolf Azcuna attended the flag ceremony, along with Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, who also wore a red necktie.

Not to be outdone, a dozen of Sereno’s supporters, who were clad in black shirts, held a rally outside the Supreme Court compound.

The protesters declined to identify themselves or to which group they belonged, but some said they were from Tondo, Manila.

Holding placards, they chanted: “Labanan ang diktaturya! (Oppose the dictatorship.)”

Some of the placards were neatly written with the words: “Duterte, takot sa babae! Leila de Lima, Pia Ranada. Ngayon naman CJ,” “Wag babuyin ang justice system” and “Supreme Court wag sirain ang tiwala ng mga Pilipino.”