House panel approves articles of impeachment vs Sereno

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 12:22 p.m.) — With an overwhelming vote of 33 against 1, the House of Representatives justice panel on Monday approved the draft articles of impeachment against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

On Monday morning, Rep. Reynaldo Umali (Oriental Mindoro), chair of the justice committee, said that the "small group" composed of vice chairs of the panel prepared a 45-page committee report and 56-page draft of the articles of impeachment, which would be filed at the Senate acting as an impeachment court.

He added that the committee's findings are "anchored on strong evidence, documentary evidence and testimonies that will stand trial" and are "rooted in the findings of psychological and mental disorder of Sereno."

Umali cited the findings of clinical psychologist Geraldine Tria, who appeared as a resource person in the hearing. Tria gave an assessment of Sereno's psychological test based on the House panel hearings, news clippings and what she heard in the executive session with the two Judicial and Bar Council's psychiatrists.

READ: Fact check: Did the JBC psych test say Sereno is mentally ill?

Tria, however, has not interviewed Sereno personally.

Rep. Kit Belmonte (Quezon City) was the lone dissenter during the voting.

READ: House panel votes to impeach Sereno

Articles of impeachment

Umali said that Sereno is being charged for the following six articles:

• Article I: Non-filing or non-disclosure of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth
• Article II: For purchase of a Land Cruiser "which is beyond the norm of SC," hiring of services of IT consultant Helen Macaset and choosing Shangri-La Boracay for the 3rd ASEAN Chief Justices' meeting
• Article III: When she arrogated upon herself the powers reposed upon the SC as a collegial, deliberative and consultative body when she issued resolutions without or contrary to the SC's en banc
• Article IV: When she deliberately and maliciously abused her position as SC and ex-officio chairman of the JBC
• Article V: When she deliberately undermined and violated the rules of the separation of powers among the three branches of government
• Article VI: When she willfully and deliberately failed to comply with her oath of office by tyrannical abuse of discretionary power

Meanwhile, the following allegations were dropped from the 27 "impeachable acts" cited by complainant Lorenzo Gadon in his verified complaint:

• Embellishment of Sereno's personal data sheet
• Commencement address at the Ateneo de Manila University
• Order to not issue a warrant of arrest to the three Muntinlupa court judges handling the case of Sen. Leila de Lima

The chief justice is also facing an ouster plea at the SC filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida. The government's chief legal counsel is seeking the nullification of Sereno's appointment as chief justice in 2012.

Sereno has been on leave since March 1. She said this is in preparation for her looming impeachment trial at the Senate.

She has, however, remained defiant amid mounting calls for her resignation.