Sonny Angara: SC to suffer ‘institutional damage’ if it decides on quo warranto

TACLOBAN CITY – Sen. Sonny Angara has raised fears that the Supreme Court would suffer an “institutional damage” if the high tribunal decides to remove Chief Justice on leave Ma. Lourdes Sereno by granting the quo warranto petition against her.

Angara maintained that the proper way to oust Sereno from her post was through an impeachment proceeding.

He pointed out that removing the chief justice through a quo warranto petition would redound to a popularity contest.

“Ayaw ka na ng mga colleagues mo, pwede ka ng ma-remove through a quo warranto (If your colleagues don’t want you, you can be removed through a quo warranto),” Angara told reporters in a news conference on Thursday at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo town, Leyte where he attended the opening of the international Philippine Dart Challenge. The competition was participated by more than 1,000 players from 16 countries.

“Impeachment is still the proper process to remove her and not through a quo warranto,” the senator added.

The Supreme Court en banc was set to rule on the quo warranto petition filed against the embattled Sereno by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

Angara said he would respect the decision of the Supreme Court whether he agreed with it or not.

“I think, we have to respect the Supreme Court whether you agree or not with their decision. They are the final arbiter or interpreter (of our laws),”Angara said.