No one can force Sereno to go on leave, says spokesperson

The camp of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Tuesday maintained that no one can force the high magistrate to resign or go on an indefinite leave from her duties.

Lawyer Jojo Lacanilao, one of Sereno's spokespersons, made the assertion following reports quoting Supreme Court sources that the chief justice was forced by her colleagues to take a leave.

In an ambush interview, Lacanilao reiterated that it was Sereno's "personal decision" to go on a leave.

"Nobody can force her to go on indefinite leave. Nobody can force her to resign because those would be unconstitutional," he said.

Earlier in the day, Lacanilao said Sereno would be going on a "wellness leave" beginning March 1 to March 15.

Lacanilao's statement, however, was assailed by House Committee on Justice chair Reynaldo Umali, who said that his source told him that the leave was actually "indefinite."

The House panel is conducting deliberations to determine probable cause on the impeachment complaint lodged against Sereno.

But Lacanilao, in the interview, said the leave could go both for "wellness" and "indefinite."

"Let's put it this way. As far as we're concerned, she's filing a leave na na-file na rin naman niya beforehand, ina-advance lang niya," he said.

"CJ Sereno will be using to actually prepare for the Senate trial. If she needs more time, if it's for the interest of the Supreme Court or the country, let her make that decision on ie-extend ba niya yung leave niya or hindi," he added.

Lacanilao said they will allow Sereno to make the decision whether she would extend her leave or not.

"We will allow her to think about that. Kung ano man ang mangyayari in two weeks, three weeks. Is she open to that? Maybe she is. Kasi ang importante sa kanya, matapos yung Senate trial at makapag-prepare siya sa Senate trial," she said.

"But to say na pinwersa siya, mahirap panindigan yan sa Constitution kasi nobody can force CJ to go on indefinite leave. Nobody can force her to resign because that's just unconstitutional," he added.

The House panel has issued a show cause order to Lacanilao regarding his "contradicting" statement on Sereno's leave. — BM, GMA News