JV Ejercito lukewarm on looming Sereno impeachment trial

 Senator JV Ejercito INQUIRER PHOTO/ Alexis Corpuz

TACLOBAN CITY- Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito is not feeling “excited and hot” on the looming impeachment trial of Chief Justice on leave Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Ejercito, who was in the city on Thursday to inspect the housing projects for survivors of supertyphoon “Yolanda,” pointed out that several pending pieces of legislation would be affected when the Senate convened as an impeachment court.

“I am not really excited and hot sa impeachment because ang (my) worry (is), it might sideline some vital pieces of legislations,” Ejercito said.

One of these is his proposed bills to create a Department of Housing and to enact a universal health care program.

Ejercito said impeaching Sereno was not even among the concerns of “ordinary” Filipinos who were more worried about housing, health and prices of basic goods, particularly rice.

Incidentally, his father, former President Joseph Estrada was also impeached by the House of Representatives which was heard by the Senate but was cut short due to People Power II uprising in 2001.

Still, Ejercito said he would fulfill his constitutional duty as a judge once they start to hear the impeachment complaint filed against Sereno.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte had asked the House of Representatives to fast track the impeachment complaint against Sereno who is being accused of not filing her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN).

Sereno, who was appointed Chief Justice by then President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, was also fighting off a quo warranto petition filed against before the Supreme Court.