Spokesperson denies boxes carted out of CJ's office were Sereno's

A spokesperson for Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday confirmed that large boxes had been carted out of the top magistrate's office, but denied the containers were hers.

"The boxes belong to Atty. Michael Ocampo containing docs he needed to bring to DOJ to answer the suit filed against him by [Lorenzo] Gadon," lawyer Jojo Lacanilao explained in a text message.

"Boxes don't belong to CJ," he emphasized. He said he did not know how many boxes were hauled out.

It was earlier reported that six large balikbayan boxes were brought out of Sereno's office on Friday morning. It was not immediately clear why the boxes were moved.

The Supreme Court was expected to decide on an oust-Sereno petition this month.

Mga tauhan ni Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, nag-umpisa nang maghakot ng mga gamit sa Office of the Chief Justice; anim na malalaking balikbayan box, inilabas sa tanggapan ni Chief Justice Sereno. | via @CecilVillarosa pic.twitter.com/SkMXdpXdUP

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 4, 2018

Gadon, who was also Sereno's impeachment accuser, had filed a complaint against Ocampo over the hiring of now-resigned Supreme Court Information Technology consultant Helen Perez-Macasaet.

Gadon accused Ocampo, Macasaet and Sereno staff head Ma. Lourdes Oliveros of graft and violation of the procurement law over the consultant's hiring.

In his complaint, Gadon alleged only the first two of Macasaet's eight contracts of service passed through the Bids and Awards Committee, as provided by the Government Procurement and Reform Act.

He also took issue with Macasaet's supposed compensation of P100,000 a month under the first contract, and P250,000 a month under the succeeding contracts. The payments were allegedly "way beyond" the compensation ceiling set by a circular letter from the Department of Budget and Management.

The DOJ started its preliminary investigation into the complaint on Wednesday. Ocampo and Oliveros had submitted their respective counter-affidavits, while Macasaet was given until May 9 to file hers. — DVM, GMA News