Sereno: Truth is on my side

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said Wednesday the impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives did not bother her because she knew the truth was on her side.

Speaking before a judges’ convention in Palo, Leyte, Sereno said she did not feel embattled as the news stories may portray her to be.

“I am like this because I know that the truth is on my side. And in a time of constant spin, when narratives are co-opted to serve the personal agenda of a few, the truth is our bedrock,” Sereno said.

“Alam kong hindi ako nagsinungaling, hindi ako nandaya, hindi ako nanlamang ng kapwa, at ginawa ko nang tama ang trabaho ko bilang Punong Mahistrado. I have enough faith in the truth to sleep soundly at night; I have enough faith in our people, and in our democratic systems, to know that narratives built on lies will eventually crumble,” she said.

Filed by lawyer Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon, the impeachment complaint against Sereno detailed allegations such as purchase of a luxury vehicle, undeclared earnings in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and questionable administrative orders.

The House justice committee found the complaint to be sufficient in grounds on October 4 with hearings to resume next month.

In her speech, Sereno urged members of the Philippine Trial Judges League Inc. to remain true to their oaths and stay out of politics.

“Remain steadfast in the conduct of your duties; zone out of politics, and decide on your cases with openness, sobriety, and fairness,” she said.

“All I ask is that tomorrow, you wake up and resolve to do the best, most honest, fairest work that you can do, and again the day after that, and again the day after that. There is nothing more that a Chief Justice can ask of you.”

Sereno also emphasized that she did not grace the gathering in order to “rally the troops and “ask to wear armbands or hold placards” for her.

“I know that, ultimately, such political maneuverings can only erode our branch of government in the long-term, however gratifying it may be at the moment. I have no interest in feeding my ego,” she said. — RSJ, GMA News