Sereno
A DRAFT resolution ”respectfully” urging the Supreme Court (SC) to review its decision, nullifying the appointment of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, is being routed at the Senate.
A copy of the draft resolution entitled “Resolution expressing the sense of the Senate to uphold the Constitution on the matter of removing a Chief Justice from office” was obtained by Inquirer.net on Tuesday. It has no number yet and has not been signed by any senator.
It described the high tribunal’s ruling an “extra-Constitutional means” of removing a SC justice.
The draft measure pointed out that under the Constitution, the Senate should have exclusive power to initiate all impeachment cases while the Senate has the “sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.”
“The Supreme Court’s decision to grant the quo warranto petition sets a dangerous precedent that transgresses the exclusive powers of the legislative branch to initiate, try and decide all cases of impeachment,” said the draft resolution.
The Senate, it said, recognizes that “the continued harmonious independence of these branches lies in the faithful adherence of each branch, the corollary doctrine of checks and balances ensures their co-equality.”