Sereno returns to SC for first time since months-long leave

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:08 a.m.) — Two months after taking a leave, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno returned to her office early morning Wednesday as she has completed preparation for her impeachment trial at the Senate

"Now that the purpose of her leave of absence has been served, the chief justice will resume performing her constitutional mandate and discharging her responsibilities as head of judiciary," Carlo Cruz, legal counsel of Sereno, said to media.

On the same morning, the Supreme Court Public Information Office has announced that the high tribunal would hold a special en banc session on Friday, May 11.

It was earlier reported by several news agencies that the high tribunal would rule on Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition against Sereno on Friday.

Sereno has been on an “indefinite leave” since March 1. The chief justice said that it was in preparation for the looming impeachment trial at the Senate court.

The leave was announced after an en banc session where 13 justices agreed that she should go on leave.

(re-post; edited typo) ADVISORY. SC En Banc Special Session, May 11, 2018, 10AM. pic.twitter.com/w9aJtDm265

— Supreme Court PIO (@SCPh_PIO) May 9, 2018

Days after Sereno stepped aside, Calida filed a quo warranto petition against the chief justice on March 5. He asked the SC to nullify Sereno’s appointment as chief justice and “remove” her from office.

Calls for her resignation have hounded Sereno but the embattled chief justice has remained unfazed.

On Tuesday, she asserted in another fiery speech that only a conviction by an impeachment court could remove her from office. She also hinted on her return to her office saying that she listens to what the public tells her.

“Now, you’ve heard what they are saying. They say that it is time to work hard at the Supreme Court,” she said.

Sereno has yet to make an official statement on her return to the SC as of reporting.