Umali to Sereno: Do country a favor and resign | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

Umali to Sereno: Do country a favor and resign

Umali to Sereno: Do country a favor and resign

Patrick Quintos,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Dec 17, 2019 03:00 PM PHT

Clipboard

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

MANILA - The head of the House of Representatives justice committee on Wednesday urged Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to resign, saying she would face a divided Supreme Court even if she wins in her impeachment trial.

Speaking to radio DZMM, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rey Umali said it would be best if Sereno resigns her post to save time and money that would be spent in an impeachment trial.

"Huwag na niyang ipilit ang kanyang gusto. Tuluyan na siyang mag-resign to save the time and even resources the country. She will do the country the favor," he said.

Sereno is facing impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives after lawyer Lorenzo Gadon accused her of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Tuesday, the top magistrate's camp said Sereno would go on a "wellness leave" from March 1 to 15 to prepare for a possible impeachment trial.

Umali, however, said Supreme Court justices tipped him off that Sereno would take an indefinite leave and not just a wellness leave. "Sabi ko nga po, justices. Hindi lang isa 'yun," he said.

"Yan nga ang gusto naming usisain. Dahil sa impeachment complaint lumabas po 'yang ganyang pattern of lies and deception," the lawmaker added.

Several magistrates of the Supreme Court have appeared in the impeachment proceedings, accusing Sereno of several violations and undermining the court as a collegial body.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno gestures during an interview on ABS-CBN's "The Bottomline" on Friday, February 23, 2017. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News

Meanwhile, the Sereno camp said reports that the Chief Justice was forced to go on an indefinite leave are alarming as it is already like ousting the head of the judiciary.

"Nakakabahala, kung totoo man, kasi walang batayan sa batas o sa Konstitusyon ang ating mga mahistrado na gawin 'yan. Tanging impeachment proceeding lang, na nagaganap ngayon, ang paraan para matanggal sa panunungkulan ang chief justice," lawyer Josalee Deinla said.

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

Lawyer Jojo Lacanilao earlier said the Chief Justice will advance her scheduled wellness leave in March to prepare for the Senate trial. Sereno will take her leave on March 1 to 15 instead of March 12 to 23 as originally planned, he said.

"There's not much difference there. She advanced it on the idea that she will recoup her strength, rejuvenate, and prepare for the Senate trial that's kinda looming as we see it, looking at what's going on in the House," he said in an interview with ANC.

In a statement, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said he hopes Sereno will consider "what would be best" for the Supreme Court during her leave of absence.

"As the Chief Justice takes her wellness leave, we hope she would take this opportunity to reflect on her time and legacy at the Supreme Court and to consider what would be best for the institution which she heads as top magistrate," he added.

The House justice committee has wrapped up the impeachment hearings on Sereno's case. The lawmakers are set to vote on the determination of probable cause next week.

ADVERTISEMENT

PDP Laban candidates woo voters in proclamation rally

PDP Laban candidates woo voters in proclamation rally

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Clipboard

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) Laban formally proclaimed its nine senatorial candidates on Thursday with former President Rodrigo Duterte as guest speaker.

Duterte is the party chairman while Senator Robinhood Padilla, who was also present, is president. 

Included in the slate are musician and former PAGCOR Board of Directors member Attorney Jimmy Bondoc, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, former DILG Undersecretary Attorney Jayvee Hinlo, former Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon Attorney Raul Lambino, SAGIP Party List Representative Rodante Marcoleta, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former Executive Secretary Attorney Vic Rodriguez, and actor Phillip Salvador. 

Each one spoke about their plans and views on various issues, such as Dela Rosa who rejected President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr's statement that the country might go back to its bloody past if rival candidates are elected.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Kung 'yung aking mga kamay ay may bahid na dugo, hindi ko po yan kinakahiya,” Dela Rosa remarked. “Kung kinakailangan na madumihan ng dugo ng masamang tao ang aking kamay para maprotektahan ang buhay ng matitino, mababait at law abiding citizen, gagawin ko po 'yun. Itaga niyo sa bato.” 

Marcoleta questioned the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Ang ginagawa nila ay para pag-away-awayin ang mga Pilipino,” he said. “Pinag-aaway away mga Pilipino. They impeached the Vice President even if there is no basis for it.



Quiboloy, who is jailed for qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse, sent a video.

“Dadalhin natin ang laban na ito sa Senado at gagawa ng mga batas na tututok para mabigyan ng maginhawa at mabuting pamumuhay ang bawat Pilipino,” he said. “Titiyaking walang corrupt sa gobyerno at magnanakaw sa pera ng bayan.”

Bondoc laid out PDP Laban’s principles while Hinlo laid out his platform.

“Di po natin maipagkakaila ang pagiging epektibo ng best of the best of the Duterte principles. Ano po ba yun? Anti drugs, anti criminality, anti corruption. Lahat po tayo puwedeng magkaisa doon,” Bondoc explained.

“Dapat po ang ating mga senador may programa kasi hindi po ako pinabili ng suka. Hindi po. Abogado ako. Yung sa kabila abogado ba sila? “Hinlo stated. “Ang programa natin una labanan ang korupsiyon. Dapat po amyendahan ang data privacy act at bank secrecy law. 

According to Go, his track record shows that he is a true public servant.

“Kayo na ang bahalang humusga kung sa tingin ninyo nagtrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. Hindi po ako politiko na mangangako. Gagawin ko lang po ang aking trabaho dahil bisyo ko ang mag-serbisyo,” Go said.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, said fighting corruption is a priority. He also threw shade at the statement of Marcos that some aspirants looked like they merely delivered vinegar but still received a certificate of candidacy.

“War on corruption na aking pinamumunuan is not just a campaign slogan. Nalalaman ko kung pano labanan ang korupsiyon.” Rodriguez said, “Proud member ng team suka at atin pong lalabanan ang team sinusuka."

Lambino shared that running for the Senate was not part of the plan.

“Ano dahilan nakumbinsi ako? Una dahil binababoy nila ang saligang batas. Di ko matanggap na kung babaguhin ang saligang batas, hindi sa tamang proseso. Isa sa batas idudulog sa senado pagtatatag ng Department of Veterans Affairs kasi di naaasikaso ang mga beterano,” Lambino said.

Salvador’s advocacies include peace and order and fighting illegal drugs.

“Peace and order. Gusto kong ipagpatuloy ang naiwang laban ni PRRD. Gusto kong manumbalik ang tiwala ng mga magulang na makakauwi ang kanilang mga anak na di madisisgrasya ,” he said. “Gusto kong mawala na ang bentahan ng droga.”

Vice President Duterte was not in attendance but sent out a statement. In her message, she appealed for support for the PDP slate.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.