“Another nail was driven in the coffin of democracy today.”
Citing the further erosion of checks and balances in the three branches of government, groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan condemned the granting of a quo warranto petition to remove Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
The Supreme Court justices voted 8-6 in favor of the petition in an en banc session earlier today. The quo warranto petition, questioning Sereno’s qualification as chief magistrate, was filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida.
“Respondent Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno is disqualified from and is hereby adjudged guilty of unlawfully holding and exercising the office of the Chief Justice,” stated the court’s decision, which is immediately effective and executory.
In the petition, Calida justifies Sereno’s non-qualification as Chief Justice due to her failure to submit a complete statement of assets, liabilities, and networth (SALN).
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary General Renato Reyes, Jr. rejects the Supreme Court’s “unjust” decision of ousting Sereno.
“All three branches of government have failed the people,” Reyes said in a statement. He posited the well-coordinated maneuvers of the executive, legislative, and judicial divisions, saying that the Supreme Court was only very willing to compromise judicial independence with the legislative branch’s impeachment hearings to back up its decision to remove Sereno.
Kabataan Partylist meanwhile fears that the Supreme Court’s move will “usher in a fascist dictator”. Representative Sarah Elago compared the granting of the quo warranto petition to the role the Supreme Court played in the installation of Ferdinand Marcos as dictator in 1972.
“With the petition to disqualify the Chief Justice, granted, Duterte and his minions in the judiciary have not only successfully eroded the Constitutionally enshrined principles of checks and balances and separation of powers, but also gave ultimate control of the judiciary to a madman,” she added.
Youth Act Now Against Tyranny has called on students and youth to participate in decentralized protests across the country today.
Youth Act Now Against Tyranny strongly condemns the Supreme Court decision granting the dubious Quo Warranto petition…
Geplaatst door Youth Act Now Against Tyranny op Donderdag 10 mei 2018
