Sereno urged anew to attend House impeachment probe

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali says there would only be two hearings before they decide on whether there was probable cause to impeach Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. INQUIRER FILE

A lawmaker renewed the House justice committee’s call for Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to attend the hearings on the determination of probable cause in her impeachment complaint.

During the resumption of the hearing on Monday, Deputy Majority Leader Juan Pablo Bondoc said Sereno should face the committee, like how the executive department defended its extension of martial law in Mindanao before the Congress.

Sereno’s camp earlier refused to attend hearings after the panel, chaired by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, denied her request to cross examine resource persons at the proceedings.

“Bago po natin ito desisyunan, gusto nating magbigay siya ng paliwanag,” Bondoc told the panel.

“Sana humarap na si Chief Justice nang sa gano’n, makapagdesisyon tayo ayon sa kanyang paliwanag at ayon sa paliwang ng ating  mga bisita,” he said.

Bondoc pointed out that even President Duterte was able to face the Congress when the executive branch defended martial law extension last year. He said Duterte’s explanation, through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, became a significant factor in the Congress’ overwhelming approval of Duterte’s request.

Umali said the committee had two remaining hearings before it would vote on whether there was probable cause in the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Larry Gadon against Sereno. /cbb