Good Morning Judge The Sereno impeachment hearing

AS the House Committee on Justice hearing on the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno progresses, the viewing public is given an insight on how the Chief Justice is running the country’s highest tribunal. The Supreme Court, in a unanimous resolution, has allowed employees and Court officers to appear at the House hearing “but they can discuss only administrative matters and not the actual deliberations of the tribunal.” The resolution of the High Court is unprecedented and has avoided possible Constitutional crises had it refused to allow any court officer or employee to appear and testify at the hearing. Thus, with the Supreme Court mandate, Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro appeared and initially testified at the Committee hearing and will continue with her testimony on December 2. Reportedly, also invited at the hearing are Associate Justice Noel Tijam, Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, Clerk of Court Felipa Anama and Chief Judicial Staff Officer Charlotte Labayani. Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon has filed the impeachment complaint accusing Sereno of “culpable violation of the Constitution for falsifying Supreme Court resolution and a temporary restraining order (TRO), for delaying action on petitions for retirement benefits and for failing to truthfully declare her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.” Sereno is also accused of manipulating the Judicial Bar Council and its short lists. This writer also noted the skillful handling by House Committee Chair Reynaldo Umali of the proceedings during the initial testimony of Associate Justice the Castro. It is my hope that with the way the committee hearing is being handled, justice will be obtained and the truth will finally come out should the House Committee endorse the impeachment complaint for Senate hearing. TRIVIA: The USI high school batch ‘58 will meet for a fellowship-luncheon meeting this coming Saturday, December 2, at Casa Soriano. The coming regular luncheon meeting is sponsored by my spouse Minda who celebrated her Nth birthday anniversary last November 8. Congratulations to my eldest daughter Pinky who is celebrating her Nth birthday anniversary this coming Sunday, December 3. Through this column, Brod Pat Paglinawan, chairman of the Lay Eucharistic Ministers of the Lady of Immaculate Concepcion Parish, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City, announces their regular meeting on Saturday, December 2, at 6pm at the parish hall. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “NEVER INTERRUPT AN ENEMY WHILE HE IS MAKING A MISTAKE.” NAPOLEON BONAPART FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME, FOR I AM MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART.” MATHEW 11:29a