MANILA -- The House of Representatives
on Thursday started its deliberations on whether the impeachment complaint
against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has sufficient grounds.
House Justice Committee chair Reynaldo Umali said they will determine
if there are sufficient grounds for Sereno’s impeachment based on the
allegations in the complaint filed by lawyer Larry Gadon and other pleadings
from both parties.
Gadon sought the ouster of Sereno on the grounds of culpable violation
of the Constitution, corruption, other high crimes and betrayal of public
trust.
Sereno’s camp filed a verified answer calling for the dismissal of
Gadon’s complaint, noting that the charges are “totally false” and “absolutely
without any basis on the facts.”
In his 32-page reply, Gadon described Sereno’s verified answer as a
“litany of lamentable lies and lame logic” designed to maneuver her escape from
impeachment.
Sereno said in a 30-page rejoinder that Gadon’s reply failed to
substantiate the allegations in his impeachment complaint, noting that his
arguments are insufficient, without any evidence, and are even contradictory to
his own allegations.
“We will take into consideration not just the complaint but also the
answer, reply and rejoinder,” Umali said.
Umali, however, said that the committee will not allow Sereno’s request
to cross-examine witnesses through her legal counsel.
Sereno has filed two letters asserting her right to allow her lawyers
to confront and cross-examine witnesses on her behalf during the impeachment
proceedings.
Umali said the determination of sufficient grounds is akin to a
preliminary investigation wherein cross-examination is not allowed. (PNA)
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