Duterte orders House to fast-track Sereno impeachment

Irked by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno's statement linking him to moves to oust her, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday urged the House of Representatives to fast-track Sereno's impeachment.

At a pre-departure press conference in Davao City before flying to China, Duterte said the House of Representatives can proceed with the impeachment process while the Supreme Court is hearing the quo warranto petition against Sereno.

"I will request the Congress, go into the impeachment right away because the two entities can hear it simultaneously, they can proceed with the quo warranto, ang quo warranto [ay sa] Supreme Court, ang impeachment ay Congress," he said.

"So that I would like to ask Speaker [Pantaleon] Alvarez, kindly fast track the impeachment. She is bad for the Philippines," Duterte added.

Duterte made the statement after Sereno urged him to explain why Solicitor General Jose Calida filed the quo warranto petition challenging her appointment in 2012.

Duterte said he earlier told Sereno that he has no hand in the efforts to oust her from office but since she is insisting that he has, he will now be her "enemy."

"Sinabi ko na kay Chief Justice Sereno: I'm not into the habit of maghabol ng kalaban, I have no history on that. Ikaw, Sereno, sinabi ko na sa 'yo hindi ako nakialam, if you are insisting then count me in. Count me in and I will egg Calida to do his best."

Duterte said he will do what he can to remove Sereno from post.

"Sinasabi ko na sa iyo na hindi ako nakikialam. Now sige ka, daldal nang daldal o sige, upakan kita. I will help any investigator, talagang upakan kita. So I'm putting you a notice that I am now your enemy and you have to be out of the Supreme Court, I will see to it," he said.

In October last year, Duterte said he would file an impeachment case against Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. 

He scored then Sereno’s supposed luxury, including her choice of vehicle and during her trips.

He also criticized her again for the P30-million lawyer’s fees she received from the government for representing Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. in an arbitration case in Singapore in 2003. He said Sereno did not declare the amount in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

In the following month, Duterte denied any hand in the impeachment proceedings against Sereno. —KBK, GMA News