8 mahistradong nagpatalsik kay Sereno binantaan ng impeachment

MANILA, Philippines – Nagbabala ang pitong mambabatas na maaaring maharap sa impeachment ang walong mahistradong bumoto para patalsikin si dating Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Sinabi ng “Magnificent Seven” na dapat ay bawiin ng mga mahistrado ang kanilang boto sa quo warranto petition na nauwi sa 8-6 ang botohan.

“[T]he grievously eight Justices must be impeached for culpable violation of the constitution and patent betrayal of public trust, among other impeachable offenses,” pahayag ng grupo.

“Only a contrite and complete recantation by reconsidering their unlawful, controversial and unpopular decision can save the eight Justices from impeachment,” dagdag nila.

Binubo ang Magnificent Seven nina Reps. Edcel Lagman (Albay), Tomasito Villarin (Akbayan Citizens' Action party-list), Edgar Erice (Caloocan City, 2nd District), Teddy Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao), Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) at Emmanuel Billones (Capiz, 1st District).

Nasipa sa pwesto si Sereno noong Mayo 11 dahil sa boto nina Associate Justices Noel Tijam, Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Diosdado Peralta, Samuel Martires, Andres Reyes Jr. at Alexander Gesmundo.

Ayon sa Magnificent Seven, ang walong mahistrado ay kailangan ma-impeach dahil sa tahasang hindi pagsunod sa Saligang Batas at betrayal of public trust, sapat na kaso para sa impeachment.

“The Constitution unequivocally mandates that it is only impeachment instituted by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate can an impeachable office be removed from office,” sabi ng grupo.