Puno on Sereno quo warranto: SC decision ‘more acceptable’ if not politically driven

The Supreme Court's (SC) forthcoming decision on the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno would be more acceptable for the people if it is well-grounded in law and jurisprudence, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno said on Friday.

In a television interview, Puno was asked to weigh in on the perception that Sereno's removal through a quo warranto petition would set a bad precedent for future Chief Justices.

"The first factor to consider would be how strong and how legally and constitutionally grounded would be the decision of the Supreme Court," he said.

"If it is well-grounded in law and jurisprudence, then perhaps that would be more acceptable to the people. But if the perception is that the coming decision is politically driven, then that is another matter," he added.

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio had said a decision on the quo warranto case filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida may be reached before the end of May. 

Puno, who heads the consultative committee (Con-com) tasked to review the 1987 Constitution in light of drafting a new charter, said the body is closely monitoring developments in Sereno's ouster.

For the former Chief Justice, the quo warranto case against her was a "case of first impression" that "presents a noble issue."

"A case that will be decided for the first time by the highest court of the land. Being a case of  first impression, there will be arguments, pro and con, and these debates would continue even after the decision of the Supreme Court," Puno said.

"We're looking at all these developments and we're trying to find out how the system can be strengthened depending on how the decision of the Supreme Court will go," he added.

The Con-com has until July to present its proposals to President Rodrigo Duterte and Congress. —Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News