Gadon after gross misconduct verdict: ‘Supreme Court is politicking’

Presidential anti-poverty czar Larry Gadon holds a press briefing on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Quezon City in relation to the Supreme Court order to fine him 150 thousand pesos for perjury. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential anti-poverty czar and disbarred lawyer Larry Gadon on Friday accused the Supreme Court (SC) of politicking after it found him guilty of gross misconduct.

The alleged politicking, according to Gadon, stemmed from a statement he made the day before the SC released its decision.

Gadon was referring to his statement where he predicted that Vice President Sara Duterte would not be re-elected or win any position in 2028 due to the way her supporters have treated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Halatang halata na ito ay nakihalo sa pulitika ang SC, sapagka’t in less than 24 hours that I have issued a statement that Sara will not win in 2028 … eh naglabas agad sila ng desisyon. Minadali nila,” said Gadon in a press conference.

(It’s obvious that the SC is getting involved with politics, because less than 24 hours after I issued a statement that Sara will not win in 2028… they issued a decision immediately. They rushed it.)

“Kaya nagkamali mali sila ng ruling (That’s why they made so many errors in the ruling),” he told reporters.

READ: SC: Gadon lied under oath in Sereno impeachment case; P150K fine set

Asked about the connection between his statement and the ruling, Gadon noted that Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo was an appointee of former President Rodrigo Duterte and is also close with his daughter, Vice President Sara.

“Is it a coincidence na right after I issued a statement na matatalo si Sara, aba, nag-issue agad ang SC ng ganyang mali maling desisyon?” said Gadon.

(Is it a coincidence that right after I issued a statement that Sara would lose, the SC immediately issued such a wrong decision?)

“Alam nyo naman itong si Chief Justice Gesmundo ay appointee ni Duterte, as Associate Justice and Chief Justice — professor ni Sara at kaibigan, so it could be, it’s a coincidence,” he added.

(You know this Chief Justice Gesmundo is Duterte’s appointee, as Associate Justice and Chief Justice — Sara’s professor and friend, so it could be. It’s a coincidence.)

READ: Gadon on SC finding him guilty of perjury: P150,000 fine is exorbitant

He also alluded to Justice Marivic Leonen as another alleged instigator, linking the impeachment case he filed against Leonen in 2019.

He also mentioned former ABS-CBN reporter Mike Navallo, who was recently named as the SC’s Chief Communications Officer.

“I am not blaming ABS-CBN ah, pero siguro because of some connection before with ABS-CBN,” he said.

(I am not blaming ABS-CBN, but maybe because of some connection before with ABS-CBN.)

“Syempre, may galit din sa’kin ‘yan si Navallo dahil ako ang unang unang nag-file ng complaint against ABS-CBN on the granting of temporary franchise by the Congress,” he recalled.

(Of course, Navallo also has a grudge against me because I was the first to file a complaint against ABS-CBN on the granting of temporary franchise by the Congress.)

“So, talagang may na-violate ulit sa bagay na ‘yan,” he surmised.

(So, something has been violated again in that regard.)

But Navallo has been out of the country since early 2024. He will start working at the Supreme Court only on August 1.

It should be noted, however, that Gadon did not present any kind of proof to support these accusations.

The SC found Gadon guilty of gross misconduct after making accusations against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno based on hearsay.

He was also fined and declared ineligible for judicial clemency.

READ: Gadon eyes impeachment raps vs SC execs who found him guilty of perjury

But Gadon pointed out that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction over the impeachment complaint, stating that only the House of Representatives can rule on any matters and allegations on the impeachment charge.

“If there is any office or authority who should declare that I committed an error or perjury in that impeachment case, it should be the Congress, not the Supreme Court, kasi hindi naman sila ang may jurisdiction sa (because they do not have jurisdiction on the) impeachment case,” said Gadon.

“So, very clear na namumulitika itong Supreme Court,” he repeated.

(So, it is very clear that the Supreme Court is politicking.)

Gadon also accused the Supreme Court of violating his right to due process, after it supposedly released the decision without even informing him or hearing his side.