SC asks Sereno to explain why she shouldn't be punished for 'ill motives' vs justices

MANILA, Philippines  —The Supreme Court has ordered ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to explain why she should not be sanctioned for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility and Code of Judicial Conduct.

Eight justices voted to oust Sereno on Friday’s special en banc session. The decision is immediately executory.

But the high tribunal has also warned Sereno of possible sanctions when she violated the rule of sub judice which prohibits discussion of a case pending in court.

“Respondent Sereno is ordered to show cause within ten days from receipt hereof why she should not be sanctioned for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility and the Code of Judicial Conduct for transgressing the sub judice rule,” the dispositive portion of the historic SC ruling read.

Sereno is also ordered to explain why she should not be given punishment for “casting aspersions and ill motives to the Members of the Supreme Court.”

It can be recalled that in a forum last March, Associate Justice Teresita De Castro took offense with Sereno commenting on the pending quo warranto case.

READ: Sereno, De Castro face off at judges’ gathering

Sereno was invited as a speaker for the Philippine Women Judges Association where she lamented the “lies and bullying” in the ouster petitions against her.

De Castro took the podium next and said: “I’m sorry that the Chief Justice has taken this opportunity to discuss a matter that is sub judice. We have given her all the courtesy and I sincerely hope that she should not have dealt with a matter that is pending with the court.”

The ousted chief justice, in several of her public remarks, also accused six justice of showing bias against her.

She has filed six separate motions for inhibitions against Associate Justices De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam and Samuel Martires.

Not one of the justices inhibited from the ruling on the quo warranto on Friday.