House justice committee chair Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali has brushed off concerns that the quo warranto petition filed to nullify Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s appointment would weaken the Congress’ power to impeach high-ranking officials. Umali said the impeachment proceedings and the quo warranto case against Sereno are “independent actions based on different grounds,” and are “separate modes of removing her” from office. READ: Solgen Calida questions Sereno’s qualifications before SC“Hindi naman, kasi iba ‘yung jurisdiction ng quo warranto (Not really, because the quo warranto has a different jurisdiction), it presumes that the appointed official was not qualified to be appointed. Faced with various complaints, Sereno should opt to do the “honorable” decision to resign, according to Umali. The House justice committee is set to vote on Thursday if the 27 grounds of the impeachment complaint against Sereno have probable cause.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 05, 2018 11:48 UTC