Sereno ouster has ‘chilling effect’ on judiciary—UN expert

Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

The ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has sent a “chilling” message to members of the judiciary, a United Nations (UN) human-rights expert said on Friday.

Diego García-Sayán, UN special rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers, also said that the ouster poses a “serious threat” to judicial independence in the Philippines.

García-Sayán pointed out that President Rodrigo Duterte had called Sereno his “enemy” after the latter claimed that Duterte had a hand in the ouster moves against her.

But Duterte has repeatedly denied being involved in the quo warranto case and impeachment complaint filed against her.

READ: Duterte did not interfere in quo warranto petition vs Sereno, says Calida

“Not only do they constitute direct intimidation of the Chief Justice; they also appear to have had a ‘chilling effect’ on other Supreme Court justices, who may have been deterred from asserting their judicial independence and exercising their freedom of expression,” the UN expert said in a statement.

“It is high time to adopt concrete measures to restore judicial independence, which is enshrined in the national constitution as well as in international human rights treaties,” he added.

Voting 8-6, high court magistrates voted in favor of the quo warranto case filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, removing Sereno from the SC top post.

READ: Peers kick Sereno out via Calida’s QW

Sereno filed a motion for reconsideration on Wednesday, May 30, stressing that their decision was “null and void” since it allegedly violated her right to due process. /jpv

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