(Eagle News)–The Judicial and Bar Council will wait for the final ruling on the quo warranto petition filed against Maria Lourdes Sereno before it proceeds with the search for a new Chief Justice.
This was confirmed by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an ex-officio member of the JBC.
Voting 8-6, the Supreme Court granted the petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against Sereno, thereby nullifying her appointment as chief magistrate.
In making the decision, the SC argued Sereno could be removed via the proceeding, dismissing her claims she, as an impeachable official then, could only be removed via impeachment.
Citing cases, the SC ruled quo warranto was distinct from impeachment, it being judicial in nature, and the latter being political in nature.
Sereno’s spokesperson Josa Deinla said they were “seriously considering” filing a motion for reconsideration.
