Sereno to accusers: History will condemn you for dragging Filipinos through nightmare

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Thursday reiterated her request to be given her day at the Senate impeachment court, even as she blasted her accusers for misusing a constitutional process.

"I will repeat again [sic] my request, my very respectful request... let my Senate trial begin. Why are they hesitating? What are they afraid of? The truth? Perhaps I don't even need to answer the question? I think that one is very obvious," Sereno said during a forum about judicial reform in Cebu City.

"Do they fear the judgement of the people about the misuse of constitutional process that they have embarked on? Do they feel the condemnation of history for the terrible nightmare that they have dragged the Filipino people through... That's why they want to cut it short," Sereno added.

The top magistrate stressed that her request was "very little" compared to what she had to go through for the past nine months, noting that "only one side of the story" has been heard by the public.

"The nation must hear me at the Senate. It is not too much to ask, it's very little compared to what they made me go through all these months.  The Filipinos must demand their right to be enlightened whether I made acts, whether I harvested so much sins against the people. The Filipinos must be given the chance to judge me," Sereno said. 

"I ask for nothing but my day in court. I ask for nothing but the observance of my due process rights. The Chief Justice is asking for nothing but the most basic justice be given her," she added.

Sereno said "fighting for one's conviction is victory in itself."

The embattled chief justice said she is ready to face the trial in order to "defend the judiciary and the democratic way of life."

"They cannot make a brave Filipina cower in fear... A Filipina that is so sure of her convictions and that the truth is on her side. They cannot make us retreat," Sereno said.

"They will try their best, but I think you have a history of resistance, that they will know their end," Sereno added.

Withstand harassment

The chief justice also acknowledged the fact that there is pressure of political force in the government's system. She said if one has an "uncompromising" stance, one must also be ready to "pay the price."

"To not bow into political power is dangerous in this country. To be independent is to open yourself to vilification. To not be aligned with any political party means that you have no political support you can rely on in your time of need," Sereno said.

Amid this political environment, Sereno underscored that members of the judiciary branch must be able to resist all the pressure thrown against the body.

"The judiciary should be able to withstand all crushing harassment, threats and retaliatory actions. We are supposed to be that. The judges should be the most impartial, neutral and fearless public servants," Sereno said.

"The time of testing the judiciary is at hand. I do not know, if the judiciary falls, when will our country fall?" Sereno added.

If the judiciary will not lead the way in safeguarding the constitutional rights of every citizen, then the Philippines will be lost as a nation, according to the Chief Justice.

Sereno is accused of culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, other high crimes, and betrayal of public trust by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon.

Despite strong calls for her resignation, Sereno has maintained that she will not quit. — Anna Felicia Bajo/MDM, GMA News