MANILA - Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon may face perjury charges if proven that some of the statements he made during impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno are false, the chair of the investigating panel said Wednesday.

House Committee on Justice Chairman Rep. Reynaldo Umali made the comment after Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro denied releasing information to a reporter that Gadon had cited as evidence in his impeachment complaint.

"Gadon may be liable for perjury because he made a declaration under oath. He will have to answer for his actions," Umali told reporters in an interview.

In his complaint, Gadon had alleged that the Chief Justice committed culpable violation of the Constitution when she "falsified Supreme Court resolutions and a temporary restraining order (TRO)."

Gadon was referring to a TRO the High Court handed down in May 2013 stopping the Commission on Elections from disqualifying a party-list group of senior citizens.

• READ: Disqualification of Senior Citizens, 4 others final - Comelec

Gadon alleged that the chief magistrate had tampered with the draft TRO resolution written by De Castro, and released an order that was "substantially" different from the one the latter had written.

• READ: SC fails to ratify Sereno-issued TRO on Senior Citizens

Though he admitted that he did not speak with De Castro herself, Gadon said he obtained the information through Manila Times reporter Jomar Canlas and another friend.

Umali said the committee would seek clarification from Canlas.

In his defense, Gadon said: "Hindi puwede matawag na perjurious 'yun because even if no justice will testify on those documents... documents are existing already."

In a brief statement, De Castro had denied releasing information to the reporter.

“I have never released to Jomar Canlas any information, report, or document regarding the work of the Court,” De Castro said.

• Gadon admits 1 rap vs Sereno not based on personal knowledge

Despite De Castro's denial, Gadon is confident that she will testify at the impeachment hearing.

Umali, meanwhile, said the committee will have to wait for other documents and the testimony of witnesses and resource persons. He noted that the committee is open to the possibility of dropping some of Gadon's 27 allegations.

"That's the logical end of all of these. I doubt 27 allegations stand scrutiny," he said.

• Sereno 'looks forward' to Senate impeach trial after House bars counsel