Solon: 8 SC justices who voted to oust Sereno deserve to be impeached

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman on Friday said the eight Supreme Court magistrates who voted to oust Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno deserved to be impeached for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

"If magistrates who are sworn to uphold the Constitution, subvert the very fundamental law by arrogating jurisdiction over an impeachable official, perforce they deserve to be impeached," Lagman said.

"They are liable for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, among other impeachable offenses," he added.

The SC justices who voted to nullify the appointment of Sereno as chief magistrate include Justices Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr, and Alexander Gesmundo.

Lagman said these magistrates of the high court violated the Constitution when they ousted Sereno, an impeachable officer, through a quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

"The Constitution unequivocally mandates that it is only by impeachment instituted by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate can an impeachable official be removed from office. No other procedure is allowed, certainly not an aberration of a quo warranto action," Lagman said.

Lagman said their majority decision, despite now being perceived as "the law," will still not excuse their mistake in ousting Sereno.

He added that only a complete reversal of the ruling on the quo warranto petition can prevent the impeachment threats against the SC justices.

"The act of promulgating their unconstitutional decision completes the consummation of the impeachable offenses. Only a contrite and complete recantation by reconsidering their unlawful, controversial and unpopular decision can save the eight Justices from impeachment," Lagman said.

On Thursday, Akbayan Party-list Representative Tom Villarin said he might file an impeachment complaint against the same SC justices for culpable violation of the Constitution. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/MDM, GMA News