(Eagle News) — The Supreme Court’s junking of Maria Lourdes Sereno’s appeal of her ouster should be the “final chapter in the drawn-out drama” which she was in large part responsible for.
This is according to Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, who issued the statement after Senator Kiko Pangilinan said her ouster may still be appealed.
“It behooves everybody to respect and bow to the majesty of the law. Dura lex sed lex (the law may be harsh, but it is the law),” Panelo said.
According to Panelo, the Supreme Court, which has been given the “express mandate” by the Constitution to “interpret the law,” has done just that in this case.
“The Supreme Court’s decision highlights the paramount importance and necessity of integrity and accountability of public officials despite the entry of partisan politics by those who seek to polarize the people,” he said.
As for President Rodrigo Duterte, Panelo said he “stays committed to his constitutional task in serving and protecting the people and to ensure that all laws are faithfully observed, and effect genuine reforms in the bureaucracy for the betterment of the Filipino people.”
On Tuesday, June 19, the SC announced it upheld its May 11 ruling that nullified Sereno’s appointment as Chief Justice.
In nullifying her appointment, the SC ruled she lacked the integrity required of applicants to the chief magistrate post in the first place.
This was because, the SC said, she, among others, did not file her complete Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
In upholding its May 11 decision, the SC said Sereno did not present any new arguments that warrant a reversal of the same.
