Sereno opts to let public ‘assess’ Duterte’s scathing remarks

FILE – Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno waves to her purple-wearing supporters as she arrives for a news conference of the Coalition for Justice at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Chief Justice on-leave Maria Lourdes Sereno does not see the need to respond to President Rodrigo Duterte’s scathing remarks against her, Sereno’s camp said on Monday.

Lawyer Carlo Cruz, one of Sereno’s spokespersons, said the chief magistrate prefers to just let the public assess the “importance and relevance” of Duterte’s “colorful” statements.

“CJ Sereno deems it best, and only proper, to no longer comment on the alleged recent colorful statements of the President. She prefers to just let the public assess the importance and relevance of said remarks,” Cruz said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

Duterte, in a press conference in Davao before flying to China for a forum, told Sereno: “Ikaw Sereno, sabi ko sa’yo ‘di ako nangingialam (sa pagpaptalsik sa’yo). If you’re insisting, then count me in.”

“I will egg (Solicitor General Jose) Calida to do his best. Sinasabi ko na sa iyo na hindi ako nakikialam. Sige ka nang sige diyan, sige upakan kita,” Duterte said. “I’m putting you on notice that I’m your enemy. You have to be out of the Supreme Court.”

The President issued the scathing remarks when asked for his reaction on Sereno’s demand for an explanation why Calida, who represents the government in any suit filed against the state, filed a quo warranto case against her.

“P*t*ng *n* e sinabi nang ‘di ako nakikialam e. Sabihin mo sa kanya, let the world know. Talagang makialam ako. Ako nagpapasensya lang ako, babae,” Duterte said.

READ: Duterte declares war vs Sereno

However, Cruz said that Sereno “simply chooses to focus on and properly address all of the constitutional and legal issues she faces in both the quo warranto suit and in the impeachment proceedings.”

“She (Sereno) continues to uphold the rule of law and the Constitution, ever mindful of the need to preserve the integrity and independence of the Office of the Chief Justice and the integrity and independence of the Judiciary,” her spokesman added.