Palace: Duterte order to oust Sereno directed at House partymates

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

The remarks of President Rodrigo Duterte urging lawmakers to fast-track the impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was directed to the chief executive’s partymates in Congress.

Duterte is the chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

“The President, as party chairman of PDP-Laban, called for the impeachment of Chief Justice Sereno,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said

“This was directed to the House of Representatives members belonging to the PDP-Laban,” Roque added.

Before flying to China on Monday to attend an economic forum, Duterte to House legislators to take the necessary steps  to boot Sereno out of the Supreme Court.

READ: Duterte declares war vs Sereno

The President said he would tell Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to speed up the impeachment process against Sereno.

“I would ask Speaker Alvarez now, kindly fast-track the impeachment. She is bad for the Philippines,” he said.

“Now this time, I’m asking the congressmen and the Speaker, ‘Do it now. Cut the drama or else I will do it for you,” he added.

Akbayan Rep. Tomasito Villarin has said President Duterte was “playing ‘god’ and arrogating unto himself powers over Congress and the Speaker meekly submitting to his whims.” /jpv

READ: Lawmaker calls out Duterte for ‘playing god’ in case vs Sereno