Marchers stopped from staging picket at Supreme Court in Baguio

Various groups protesting vs the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice-on-leave Maria Lourdes Sereno gather at Sunshine Park. PHOTO by Kimberlie Quitasol / INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

BAGUIO CITY—The police cordoned off the road in front of the Supreme Court summer court house, preventing about 150 supporters of Chief Justice-on-leave Maria Lourdes Sereno from holding a second picket here on Tuesday (April 11).

The Court is holding oral arguments regarding a quo warranto petition filed against Sereno by Solicitor General Jose Calida at 2 p.m.

The Coalition for Justice surprised the Court with a short picket last week at the start of this year’s summer sessions.

This time, 24 police officers blocked their way. A long rope bearing “no entry” signs was also strung up at the road, manned by police and Court security personnel.

Baguio activists playing gongs led the coalition marchers, some of whom were senior citizens who commuted to Baguio from various parts of the country.

The group carried a purple banner that says “Katotohanan, Katuwiran, Hustisya,” and placards that say “unite against tyranny.”

“Bakit bawal? Lugar ng Pilipinas iyang Supreme Court (Why are we being barred? The Supreme Court is in the Philippines),” one protester complained to the police.

The picketers first assembled at Sunshine Park about 25 meters from the court house, but they marched around downtown Baguio first before proceeding to the SC compound.

PHOTO by Kimberlie Quitasol / INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON