Duterte’s order to speed up Sereno impeachment alarms opposition solons

Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus (Photo from her Facebook account)

President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to fast-track the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was “an affirmation that he is the driving force behind the flimsy impeachment case,” opposition lawmakers said on Monday.

Gabriela Women’s Party Representatives Arlene Brosas and Emmi de Jesus said this as they condemn such directive from the President.

“This further erodes any semblance of decency or democracy that this regime hopes to project as it consolidates power by eliminating critics in order to complete its dictatorial designs,” the lawmakers said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate has warned the public that Duterte’s pronouncements might just be a “smokescreen” for the impending removal through the “unconstitutional” quo warranto petition.

“President Duterte’s verbal attack against CJ Sereno earlier and his order to Congress to fast track the impeachment process may just be a smokescreen for the impending removal of CJ Sereno via the unconstitutional quo warranto proceeding in the Supreme Court (SC),” he said in a statement.

“Some information are now being floated that majority of the SC justices might give due course and remove CJ Sereno via the quo warranto proceeding,” he added.

During Monday’s press conference in Davao City, Duterte said he would ask Congress to speed up the impeachment proceedings against Sereno.

READ: Duterte declares war vs Sereno

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he is bound to follow the President’s order, adding: “It will be done once we resume sessions.”

READ: Alvarez to heed Duterte’s order to remove Sereno

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