SC: Sereno failed to file SALNs, unfit to be Chief Justice

Ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was deemed unworthy of her post by her erstwhile colleagues in the Supreme Court because she lacked integrity.

In the 153-page decision penned by Associate Justice Noel Tijam, the tribunal cited Sereno's failure to file her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth and to submit the required SALNs to the Judicial and Bar Council in 2012.

"The expectation of a strong adherence to this principle escalates proportionately as one ascends to public office. John Adams, then President of the United States, said, 'society's demands·for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases'," the Supreme Court said.

"In this case, it was found that respondent is ineligible to hold the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court position for lack of integrity on account of her failure to file a substantial number of SALNs and  also, her failure to submit the required SALNs to the JBC during her application for the position," it added.

Solicitor General Jose Calida filed the quo warranto petition questioning then President Benigno Aquino III's appointment of Sereno in 2012 after it was learned during the impeachment hearings in the House of Representatives that the magistrates submitted incomplete SALNs when she was applying for the post.

The late former Chief Justice Renato Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives and convicted by the Senate impeachment court on the basis of his failure to declare certain assets in his SALNs.

Aside from finding Sereno unqualified to be Chief Justice, the Supreme Court also raised the possibility of her getting disbarred for violating the sub judice rule and casting aspersions against members of the court.

"The public  actuation of respondent showing disdain and contempt towards some Members of the Court whom she dubbed as "Biased 5" later increased and modified to "Biased 6" can no longer be tolerated," the Court said.

"She may be held liable for disbarment for violating the Canons of Professional Responsibility for violating the sub Judice rule by repeatedly discussing the merits of the quo warranto petition in different fora and for casting aspersions and ill motives to the Members of the Court even before a decision is made," it added. —NB, GMA News

RELATED LINKS:

Main decision

• 6 justices weren't biased against Sereno —SC ouster decision

Concurring opinion

• De Castro: Sereno appointment is void due to lies, deception
• Martires denies ‘faith shaming’ Sereno: I’d be crazier than her if I did that

Dissenting opinions

• Carpio: SC rewrote constitution with Sereno ouster
• Leonen: Quo warranto a legal abomination
• Caguioa on Sereno ouster: SC committed suicide without honor