Sereno impeach proceedings a ‘lesson’ for complainants for rap vs. Ombudsman — Topacio

The House Committee on Justice's meticulous deliberation on the impeachment case against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has served as a lesson for the complainants of the impeach rap to be lodged against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales as they gear up to file it likely next week.

At a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said that with how the House justice panel members conducted the hearing, it was clearly shown that the impeachment process is not "a walk in the park."

"Talagang ginagampanan ng Mababang Kapulungan ang kanilang constitutional duty na sila ang mag-initiate ng impeachment, ang impeachment complaint na kanilang ini-initiate ay kailangan matibay," he said.

"So nakita ninyo naman kung paano sinasala at sinusuysoy ang mga alegasyon sa complaint ni Atty. [Larry] Gadon," he added.

Lawyer Manuelito Luna earlier said that an impeachment complaint consolidating all allegations from three different groups will be filed against the Ombudsman when the House of Representatives resumes its sessions.

Luna will be filing the complaint along with Topacio, former congressmen Jacinto Paras, Glenn Chong, and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. president Atty. Eligio Mallari.

The House has resumed its session on Monday this week, but no complaint against the Ombudsman has been filed.

"Siguro by next week [mafa-file na namin], we are still putting the finishing touches," Topacio said.

In May, Morales said she is unfazed by the impeachment threat against her.

"I accept any complaint filed against me. I'm going to look at the charges and if the charges merit my consideration, then I will answer them," Morales told GMA News by phone.

Gadon grilled

During Wednesday's hearing, House justice panel members grilled Gadon on his complaint, asking questions on each allegation that he made against Sereno.

Topacio admitted that this has become a "learning and enlightening experience" for them.

"So ang amin po sa Ombudsman, nag-iingat na kami. Kasi alam na namin, we have seen the gauntlet through which we'll run kung kami ay magpapa-impeach kung kaya inaayos naming mabuti at inaayos na rin naman yung magiging endorsers," he said.

"We are now extra careful, na hindi lang pala sa form naghihigpit ang justice committee kundi pati sa substantive allegations ng complaint. So lesson learned, we cannot take anything for granted," he added.

The House justice panel will resume its deliberations on the impeachment case of Sereno next week. — RSJ, GMA News