Sereno remark on impeachment not against sub judice rule —IBP member

An official of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Friday said Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno's remark about her looming impeachment during a speech could not be considered as a violation of the sub judice rule.

"Kung ang sinabi naman ng Chief Justice [ay] mahina 'yung kaso ng congressmen laban sa kanya, hindi naman 'yan pagyurak sa Supreme Court kung saan nakabinbin din 'yung quo warranto case," Domingo Egon Cayosa, IBP vice chairman, said in an interview on SuperRadyo dzBB.

He added: "'Yung sub judice kasi hindi naman ibig sabihin na kung 'yung kaso nasa korte na [ay] hindi na puwedeng pag-usapan. Maliwanag naman ang Konstitusyon na bawat isang mamamayang Filipino ay may karapatan at kalayaan na maghayag ng sarili niyang opinyon at posisyon sa anumang bagay."

He said the sub judice rule is neither in the Constitution nor in the law but a rule used by the court to protect it from undue influence or pressure that could affect how it does its work.

"Nasa ng rules of court iyan na inilabas ng hukuman para maprotektahan ito sa undue influence, ‘yung pagpe-pressure, pagpapahiya sa kanila o hadlang sa kanilang gawain," Cayosa said.

Speaking during the convention of the Philippine Women Judges Association at the Manila Hotel on Thursday, Sereno reiterated her desire to have her day at the Senate impeachment court.

Her remark did not sit well with Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita de Castro, who was also present at the event. Taking the microphone, De Castro said the "matter is sub judice."

"We have given her all the courtesy, and I sincerely hope that she should not have dealt with a matter which is pending with the court," said De Castro, who was among the SC justices who testified during the hearing of the House Committee on Justice on the impeachment complaint filed against Sereno.

Cayosa expressed hope that the Supreme Court will be able to resolve its internal conflict issue at is it not only affecting the high tribunal but the entire judiciary and the country as well.

"Hindi nakabubuti na tumagal ‘yan para sa administration ng justice, sa aming propesyon bilang abugado, at sa bansa," he said.

Cayosa also said the issue might affect the functions of the lower courts.

"Kami ay concerned at agrabyado kung mawawasak ang SC kasi 'yan ang pinakamataas na hukuman. Kung gawin 'yan sa SC, paano pa 'yung mas mababa pa katulad ng Court of Appeals, regional courts gaya ng regional trial courts at municipal trial courts," he said.

He also said the SC may look like it is on normal operation but it is not, but expressed hope that the tribunal will rise above the politics surrounding the attempts to remove Sereno.

"Karaniwan ang SC ay tahimik lang at hindi namumulitika, hindi nagsasalita. Ngayon they are all over the media at kanya-kanyang impluwensiya na ang mga sektor sa kanila," Cayosa said.

Cayosa also said he trusts the SC justices that they will vote objectively on the  quo warranto petition filed against Sereno by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

"Kaya niluklok sila diyan kasi naniniwala tayo na sila ay magiging tapat, objective, at hindi dapat natitinag sa political pressure o sinasabi ng IBP o media," he said. "Dapat may piring sila sa tenga at mata at ang nakikita lamang ay tama." —Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMA News