Sereno: No one safe if impeachment or quit calls succeed

Filipinos will have to look for political patrons to make sure they're safe from harassment and threats if Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is removed from office, the top magistrate said on Thursday.

In a speech in Quezon City, Sereno said no one would be safe in the country if her detractors succeed in working for her conviction in the impeachment court or if she gives in to calls for her resignation.

"The stakes for the rule of law if the evil machinators of the impeachment or the resignation scheme succeed: no one, not one man, especially not one woman, will be safe in this country," Sereno said.

"Everyone will have to look for a political patron, to save herself from incessant harassment, threats and bullying," she added.

Sereno is facing at least two ouster attempts from her critics.

She is expected to face a Senate impeachment trial after the House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach her for allegedly violating the Constitution, corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

A quo warranto petition questioning the validity of her appointment as Chief Justice was also filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The petition is questioning the appointment of Sereno as top judge after she allegedly failed to submit the required number of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) in 2012.

Sereno stressed that the Constitution would be "torn into shreds" once the unceasing attack against her and the whole judiciary branch will continue to dominate.

"It opens all kinds of interpretation which can only hasten the death of democracy in the country," Sereno said.

"This kind of malevolent and concerted attack against the values we hold dearest in our hearts—freedom, compassion for our fellowmen, peace, kindness, justice, truth, righteousness, acknowledgment of God, and yes, even love for our neighbors and for each other—is enabled by noise and confusion," she added.

Sereno said that the allegations against her had been equipped with fake news and alternative facts which only diverts the attention of the public from constitutional rights and processes.

"There are inter-agency and intra-agency fights that people should no longer pay attention to. There are intrigues a la showbiz that should just be noted, and no longer merit the subject of long posts. They are just sideshows," Sereno said.

Sereno is currently on leave as she prepares to defend herself during the Senate impeachment trial. —NB, GMA News