Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno returned to the Supreme Court for the first time Wednesday after taking an indefinite leave in March, saying she was going back to work.
Sereno went to the high court reportedly to resume her duties as Chief Justice.
Atty. Carlo Cruz, spokesperson for the Chief Justice, said Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio had been informed of Sereno’s return.
“Acting Chief Justice Carpio is knowledgeable about this return. I think they just called each other,” Cruz told reporters.
Sereno took an indefinite leave of absence last March to prepare for the impeachment trial.
“Well, my understanding is, sabi niya ‘tapos na preparations eh, balik na ako,’” Cruz said.
(She said, “The preparations are done, I’m going back.”)
The embattled Sereno resumed her duties two days before the Supreme Court conducts a special en banc (full court) session to discuss the quo warranto petition filed against her by Solicitor General Jose Calida.
Cruz said Sereno will preside Friday’s special en banc but will recuse herself once the quo warranto is tackled.
“She is here, up until the all process is complete. Resignation has never been an option. She will not resign. She is fighting for what she has always maintained as the right thing. She is fighting for the truth and for the Constitution,” Cruz added. /cbb, je
READ: Sereno spox: CJ will preside May 11 SC en banc session
RELATED VIDEO
