Duterte lashes out again at 'ignorant' Sereno

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday has lashed out anew against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, branding her as an “ignorant chief justice.”

The firebrand leader, upon his arrival at Davao International Airport from Hong Kong early morning of Friday, said: “You know why I castigated you in public? You are ignorant.”

Duterte recalled a time when, “in the thick of a campaign,” Sereno cautioned against submitting to warrantless arrests.

The president was apparently referring to the letter of Sereno in August 2016. 

Part of which read: “To safeguard the role of the judges as the protector of constitutional rights, I would caution them very strongly against ‘surrendering’ or making themselves physically accountable to any police officer in the absence of any duly-issued warrant of arrest that is pending.”

The chief magistrate was referring to judges identified by the president as those linked to drugs. She also told Duterte that the judiciary will look into his accusations and their basis.

More than a year later, Duterte said that Sereno’s comment angered him. “That is why I got angry at you because even an ordinary flunker of law knows that.”

“You really should be removed (from position), even before. You are stupid,” Duterte added.

The chief executive, who is also a lawyer and was once a prosecutor, said that Sereno should have known about warrantless arrests.

The head magistrate’s letter is among the “impeachable acts” cited by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon in his verified complaint against Sereno.

Sereno's stint as chief justice ‘too long’

Duterte also commented that an “ignorant” chief justice like Sereno should not be sitting in the position for too long.

Sereno was appointed to the position in 2012, and has been serving as chief justice for five years and eight months. She is poised to hold the position for 18 years, or until 2030 when she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Duterte served as Mayor of Davao for 22 years before gunning for the presidential seat.

“If you are that ignorant, you better go. Leave,” Duterte said. “That’s too long for an ignorant chief justice. That’s enough,” he added.

A fuming Duterte on Monday openly ordered the Congress to fast-track the impeachment of Sereno. This was in response to Sereno’s remark that it cannot be denied that the president has a hand on the ouster moves against her.

He later clarified that his order was only addressed to his party-mates at the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino.

READ: International group of jurists assails Duterte for slamming Sereno

The Congress is currently on break and will resume its session on May 15.

The House plenary is set to vote on the articles of impeachment drafted by its justice panel upon resumption of session.