Sereno ‘in high spirit’ ahead of ouster case decision

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Embattled Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno remains to be “in high spirit” moments before she faces her colleagues at the Supreme Court (SC), which is expected to tackle the controversial quo warranto plea filed against her this Friday, one of her spokespersons said.

Atty. Josa Deinla said that despite the “awkwardness” between Sereno and her co-justices, it would be “business as usual” for the country’s top magistrate.

“Yung awkwardness andyan na ‘yan eh (The awkwardness is always there), but since she will be presiding the session, it will continue to be business as usual,” Deinla told INQUIRER.net.

The SC will hold a special en banc session starting at 10 a.m. to deliberate on the quo warranto petition filed against Sereno by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

Sereno will preside over the proceedings but will recuse herself from the quo warranto petition deliberations.

The Chief Justice arrived early at her office on Friday.

According to Calida, Sereno was unlawfully holding the Chief Justice position because she failed to fulfill one of the requirements of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens applicants to the judiciary.

Specifically, Calida noted that Sereno did not submit a complete statement of assets, liabilities, and networth (SALN).

READ: Solgen Calida questions Sereno’s qualifications before SC

A quo warranto, under Rule 66 of Civil Procedure, is an action against an individual who “unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise.” /kga