Sen. Panfilo Lacson
Exercising “supreme prudence,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said he was leaving it to the High Court to decide on the quo warranto petition filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
“This issue involves the highest court of the land … no less than the Supreme Court,” Lacson said when sought to react on the petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) challenging the validity of Sereno’s appointment as chief magistrate.
READ: SolGen asks SC: Kick out Sereno
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/973088/solgen-asks-sc-kick-out-sereno
“As a senator who would be a potential judge and jury if and when the articles of impeachment are transmitted to the Senate, I’d rather exercise supreme prudence kasi Supreme Court ang pinag-uusapan. Huwag na natin paghimasukan. They know what to do,” he said.
The House of Representatives has yet to vote on the impeachment complaint against Sereno.
Lacson explained that if and when the complaint reaches the upper chamber, senators would not only act as judges but as members of the jury that would decide on Sereno’s fate.
“Mas mainam na let’s wait for the Supreme Court to do their thing kasi sinasabi ng mga abogado unprecedented ang petition ng OSG. Wait and see kung anong action to be taken by the SC,” he said.
Despite the petition before the high tribunal, Lacson believes that Congress could proceed with the impeachment proceedings against Sereno.
“Procedurally, yes kasi yung impeachment nasa Constitution. Yung quo warranto is an untested move on the part of SolGen,” he said.
Lacson, meanwhile, refuted Senate President Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III’s claim that the rules for the possible impeachment trial of Sereno were 80 percent to 90 percent ready.
“Parang hindi ah…” he said, “Ewan ko kung saan nanggaling yung 80 percent to 90 percent.”
“Well baka his own staff nagpre-prepare pero as a whole impeachment court preparing the rules, wala pa kami dun. Masyadong preliminary yung preparation namin…” he explained. /cbb