Hontiveros: Sereno assured of impartial trial in Senate

BACOLOD CITY-Embattled Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno is assured of an impartial impeachment trial in the Senate, said Senator Risa Hontiveros.

But she said the executive branch was trying to pursue it through another way, which was a quo warranto in the Supreme Court.

“That is unprecedented, dangerous and unconstitutional,” Hontiveros said.

“The best way to secure accountability through impeachment is through the Senate that would then proceed with impartiality,” she added.

Hontiveros was here to lead in the blessing and inauguration of a new barangay health center in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City.

Senator Cynthia Villar, in a separate news conference, said she expected the impeachment trial to start at the earliest July.

Villar and Hontiveros said the Lower House had not transmitted the impeachment complaint to the Senate yet.

“With Congress going on recess Wednesday, and returning on May 13 to tackle numerous other bills, the earliest any impeachment proceeding could start is July,” said Villar.

Villar was for the launching of the Sugar Industry Development Act socialized credit program.