DAVAO CITY (May 11) — Voting 8-6, the Supreme Court Justices favored the the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was ousted, Friday May 11, 2018.
Sereno is the first constitutional officer who was removed from office without an impeachment trial.
The Supreme Court en banc granted the quo warranto petition to remove Sereno from office on the basis of an invalid appointment.
Supreme Court Spokesperson Theodore Te during the me dia briefing said the decision is “immediately executory without need for further action.”
Sereno was present during the en banc session.
Those who voted for her ouster include: Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, Samuel Martires, Andres Reyes Jr, and Alexander Gesmundo.
Six of those present opposed the quo warranto petition include: Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr, Mariano del Castillo, Estela Perlas Bernabe, Marvic Leonen, and Benjamin Caguioa.
The high court in a statement said “Accordingly, respondent Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno is ousted and excluded therefrom…The position of the Chief Justice is declared vacant and the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is directed to commence the application and nomination process.”
