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
Article continues after this advertisement“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.
Article continues after this advertisement“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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