CFJ calls for resignation of Calida

Solicitor General Jose Calida (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

A broad multisectoral alliance on Monday called on the resignation of Solicitor General Jose Calida for his refusal to initiate a quo warranto case against Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo De Castro for submitting an incomplete Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) when she applied for the chief justice post in 2012.

“What we see here at work is a blatant double standard. Operating here is a policy of injustice where friends are protected and foes are prosecuted; where lies are spun to defend or attack; where the selective application of law is key,” the Coalition For Justice (CFJ) said in a statement.

A certain Jocelyn Marie F. Acosta wants a quo warranto petition filed against De Castro for the same reason as Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno – failure to submit complete statements of assets, liabilities and networth (SALNs).

But Calida has denied the request for lack of merit.

READ: De Castro quo warranto plea

The group accused Calida of double standard for questioning the integrity of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno based on her supposed missing SALNs but which she had actually filed, while letting De Castro get away with it.

The CFJ branded as “ridiculous, pathetic evasion” Calida’s argument that the basis for quo warranto applicable to Sereno could not be imposed on De Castro because the latter was not appointed chief justice anyway.

“The issue here is integrity. If CJ Sereno’s probity is being impugned because of a few missing SALNs which she has proven that she filed, then the same strict standard should be applied to De Castro,” the CFJ explained.

INQUIRER.net tried to get the side of Calida by sending him and his spokesman a message but he has yet to reply as of this time.