Hand in Sereno’s Ouster? Citizen Monitor Recalls What the President Said

PATRICIO DIAZ sent a letter to the editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which the paper published on May 21 (“What the President Said”). Responding to the president’s statement that he did not have anything to do with the removal of Maria Lourdes Sereno from her position as chief justice of the Supreme Court, Diaz listed news articles published by the broadsheet and some reports aired by ANC and ABS-CBN 2’s TV Patrol to illustrate the key role he played, demonstrating the executive’s interference with the judiciary, a separate branch of government.

Duterte had just said on May 17 that he would resign if proven that he had a hand in Sereno’s ouster.

In “Duterte declares war vs Sereno,”(Inquirer), the president was quoted saying:

“I’m putting you on notice that I’m your enemy and you have to be out of the Supreme Court. I will see to it and after that, I will request Congress go into the impeachment right away.

“I would ask Speaker Alvarez now, kindly fast-track the impeachment. She is bad for the Philippines. Now this time, I’m asking the congressmen and the Speaker, ‘Do it now. Huwag ninyong dramahin (Don’t add drama to it). Or else, I will do it for you.’

“Ikaw Sereno, sinabi ko na sa ’yo hindi ako nakialam (I’m telling you, Sereno, that I didn’t meddle). If you are insisting, then count me in. Count me in and I will egg Calida to do his best. Ako na mismo ang maglakad, [ka]kalabansa’yo (I will be the one to do it, I’ll fight you).”

In “Duterte says he will make sure Sereno will be out of the Sereno Court”(ANC) and “‘Upakan kita’: Duterte, Sereno, nagsagutan”(TV Patrol), both reports quoting Duterte:

“Ikaw Sereno, sinabi ko na sa ‘yo, hindi ako nakialam. If you are insisting, count me in. Count me in and I will egg Calida to do his best. Ako na mismo maglakad, magkalabansa ’yo. Sinabi ko na sa’yong hindi ako nakikialam,” he told reporters before he left for China for the Boao Forum.

“Sige ka diyan, daldal nang daldal, sige, upakan kita. I will help any investigator, talagang upakan kita. I am putting you on notice na I am now your enemy and you have to be out of the Supreme Court. I will see to it then after that I will request the Congress, go into the impeachment right away.”

CMFR adds: A Philstar.com report on May 17 notes: “Before Sereno was ousted, and in response to allegations that he was behind the move, the president declared himself the chief justice’s “enemy.” He also called on Congress to fast-track the impeachment case against her” (“Sereno on Duterte vow to quit if proven he had hand in ouster: Resign”).

CMFR welcomes efforts by the public to keep a watchful eye on what government officials say as quoted in media reports. Organizations that open their platforms to valuable public observation help elevate discussion as well.

CMFR thanks Citizen Monitor, Patricio Diaz.

Patricio Diaz was editor in chief of the Mindanao Cross in Cotabato City and later the Mindanao Kris. He is a recipient of the Titus Brandsma “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his “commitment to education and public information to Mindanawons as Journalist, Educator and Peace Advocate.”