Sereno hopeful SC will reverse 'judicial suicide'

Ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday said she would file a motion for reconsideration seeking to overturn the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) to remove her from power.

"Magfa-file ako ng motion for reconsideration, ang linaw linaw nun sa dissents. I will continue to contest what is a very clearly unconstitutional position. Ang linaw linaw nun sa dissents na unconstitutional, illegal and in fact judicial seppuku... kung baga suicide," Sereno said in an interview on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

With this move, Sereno admitted that she is hoping for a reversal of the decision of the High Court.

"Ang nature ng motion for reconsideration is recognition that decisions can always be reversed. Meron talagang mga reversals 'yan kaya nga right 'yan eh. There have been many many instances of reversals. Why should I deny that it can happen? It can happen," Sereno said.

"You always hope, you cannot give up hoping for this country. Dapat talaga... that's how everyone fights for rights for this country, you continue to keep on hoping and fighting and you never give up," she added.

Voting 8-6, the High Tribunal has granted the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against Sereno which questioned the validity of the latter's appointment in 2012 over alleged lack of integrity on the grounds of missing declaration of assets and liabilities.

According to SC spokesperson Theodore Te, the decision was "immediately executory."

Sereno also reiterated her innocence from the accusations thrown against her and maintained that only the process of impeachment can oust her from office.

"If you read the dissent, ang linaw linaw no dinistinguish nga 'yung case ko kay Chief Justice Corona. My case does not involve any hidden wealth, any corruption, any false declarations. My case is simply missing records from when I was a UP professor. Kay Chief Justice Corona, nagtago siya ng wealth," Sereno said.

"Wala naman talaga akong kasalanan eh, wala akong kakulangan. Kung meron man akong maling ginawa, eh bakit takot na takot sila sa impeachment trial?" Sereno said.

"Hindi ako binigyan ng due process, hindi ako binigyan ng chance to present my side. Very clear sa akin na walang basis talaga," she added. —BAP, GMA News