MANILA, Philippines – Various groups and sectors have questioned the credibility of the Supreme Court after it affirmed the ouster of former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno through a quo warranto petition on Tuesday, June 20.
Akbayan party list said the decision was a “missed chance to correct a historical wrong" and “left a festering wound” on the credibility of the High Court.
“We now have a Supreme Court that can easily bend to the whims of Malacañang. With the Supreme Court beheaded, Duterte could legalize all his oppressive policies,” said Akbayan spokesperson Gio Tingson.
In a statement, (CFJ) said with the Court showed it had “no intention to uphold the Constitution” and to “defend the separation of powers.”
CFJ urged Filipinos to demand accountability from this “grave miscarriage of justice and blatant betrayal of the Constitution." It called Sereno “the people’s Chief Justice,” because of her “firm resistance in speaking out for truth.”
“With her grace and courage, CJ Sereno has emerged victorious. CFJ hails her boldness and welcomes a new day with CJ Sereno joining the Filipino people as we battle malignant powers on the long and winding road to freedom, dignity and integrity,” it said.
EveryWoman said the decision is “unacceptable" as the High Court showed its inability to observe objectivity and impartiality despite being the “final arbiter of the Constitution.”
“It is tragic that the Highest Court of the Land, failed to listen to the voices of the Filipino people who took to the streets, held vigil and demanded truth and justice,” EveryWoman said.
On May 11, the SC, voting 8-6, granted the quo warranto petition to remove Sereno from office on the basis of an invalid appointment. Sereno filed a motion for reconsideration, which the Court rejected with the same vote on June 20. – with reports from Gaby N. Baizas/Rappler.com
Gaby N. Baizas is a Community intern at Rappler, and is an incoming senior at the Ateneo de Manila University. She is an AB Communication major under the journalism track.