If Duterte doesn’t know, why is ouster petitioner SolGen? – Sereno

QUO WARRANTO PETITION. Solicitor General Jose Calida questions the validity of Maria Lourdes Sereno’s appointment as Chief Justice in the quo warranto petition he filed in the Supreme Court on March 5, 2018. (INQUIRER/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

If he has no hand in the move to oust her from office, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said President Rodrigo Duterte should explain why the man who reports to him initiated the quo warranto petition.

“Mr. President, kung sinabi mong wala kang kinalaman dito, pakipaliwanag po bakit si SolGen Calida (Solicitor General Jose Calida) na nagre-report sa’yo ang nagfile ng quo warranto,” Sereno asked.

[Mr. President, if as you said you have no hand in this [ouster move], please explain why SolGen Calida, who reports to you, filed the quo warranto.]

The Solicitor General is the lawyer of the government. He or she represents the government in any suit filed against the state.

“Hindi n’yo maitatanggi na mayroong kamay na gumalaw behind this,” Sereno said.

A quo warranto petition is a legal action to remove an unqualified official from his or her position.

Calida said Sereno can be removed sans impeachment trial via a quo warranto case because her appointment is not valid.                /kga