‘Move on,’ Calida says after impeach raps vs. anti-Sereno justices fail

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos first said it. Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro followed suit. Now, even Solicitor General Jose Calida is saying it too. 

On Tuesday, it was Calida's turn to say it was time to "move on" after the impeachment complaints against seven Supreme Court (SC) justices who voted to oust former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno failed at a House committee.

Calida, who previously said the impeachment complaints will "not see the light of day," said the dismissal of charges against Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro and six other magistrates "preserved the independence of the judiciary from baseless attacks of opposition legislators."

"The OSG and the Filipino people laud the House Committee on Justice for junking these frivolous impeachment cases against the 'True Magnificent Seven' who just performed their solemn duty of interpreting the Constitution even in the face of strong political and social currents," Calida said in a statement. 

It was Calida who petitioned the SC to expel Sereno over an alleged failure to file some required asset declarations.

On Tuesday, 23 members of the House justice committee found the complaints insufficient in substance, a week after the same panel found them sufficient in form.

De Castro and Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Andres Reyes, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam and Alexander Gesmundo were charged with culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for voting in favor of Sereno's ouster last May.

The complaints were filed by Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat and Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano, members of the so-called "Magnificent 7" opposition group.

"Now, for the alleged “magnificent” representatives who filed these baseless impeachment cases, the House Committee on Justice had just spoken. Will you now turn your ire on the committee members because they did not follow your flawed constitutional interpretation?" Calida said.

Prior to Calida's "move on" statement, De Castro herself had made a similar appeal in connection with Sereno's ouster. Though about a different topic — on Martial Law during her father's regime — Imee Marcos also issued a "move on" statement, much to frustration of Martial Law victims and human rights advocates.— MDM, GMA News