Sereno camp: None of allegations in Gadon impeachment rap is true

The camp of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday disagreed with the decision of a panel of the House of Representatives finding merit in the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Lorenzo "Larry" Gadon.

Sereno's spokesperson, Atty. Carlo Cruz, said none of the allegations put forward by Gadon before the House justice committee is true.

"For this reason, we respectfully submit that the complaint cannot be considered sufficient in form and substance. None of the allegations rises to an impeachable offense," Cruz said in a statement, noting "many" of the allegations in the Gadon complaint are unsupported by evidence or rely only on newspaper clippings.

Sereno's camp also observed that the actions of the House panel appear to be inconsistent with its findings and actions in similar proceedings in the past.

"These shall be addressed as well in the answer to be filed," Cruz said.

Gadon's complaint contains allegations such as Sereno's anomalous purchase of a luxury vehicle and undeclared earnings from her stint as part of the government's legal team in the expropriation case against the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc.

Cruz, however, maintained that Sereno "has always lived a modest, God-fearing lifestyle."

"She has followed her oath of office and conducted herself with strict faithfulness to that oath. She has been among the foremost proponents of establishing a culture of modesty and respect for public funds in the Supreme Court. She has instituted reforms in the judiciary and has asserted and defended the independence of the judicial branch of government," he said.

Cruz said the complaint against Sereno seems "designed to maximize the political spectacle, with the goal of eroding her credibility through innuendo and malicious allegations."

"This is detrimental to the independence of the judiciary upon whom all citizens rely to defend their rights and to check any abuse," Cruz said.

Looking forward, Cruz said the Office of the Chief Justice is now waiting for the transmission of the complaint through official channels.

"She will avail herself of appropriate legal remedies, with the hope that the mechanisms of our democratic system will afford her a fair, transparent and just opportunity to be heard," he said.

The House committee on justice on Wednesday found Gadon's impeachment complaint sufficient in form and substance.

Thirty members of the justice committee voted for a motion to determine the sufficiency in form of Gadon's complaint and Kabayan party-list Representative Harry Roque's motion to determine its sufficiency in substance.

Only four members of the panel -- Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate, Quezon City Representative Kit Belmonte, Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao and Siquijor Representative Ramon Rocamora -- voted against the motions.

Sereno's camp is hoping Congress will decide based on the merits of the case, and affirm their commitment to democracy over partisan or parochial interests.

"In the meantime, the Chief Justice continues to discharge her duties with fairness, integrity and humility," Cruz said.

Sereno's camp, however, welcomed the junking of the separate complaint filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption founding chairman Dante Jimenez and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. president Atty. Eligio Mallari.  —LBG/KBK, GMA News