25 lawmakers endorse impeachment complaint vs Sereno

August 30, 2017

An impeachment complaint endorsed by at least 25 lawmakers  was filed Wednesday night against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, accusing her of culpable violation of the Constitution for alleged litany of lapses, including untruthful declaration of her wealth.

Larry Gadon, president of the PDU30 Constitutional Reform to Federalism and a former lawyer of ex-President-turned Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, urged Speaker Pantaleon  Alvarez to look into his complaint filed before the office of House Secretary General Cesar Pareja by referring the matter to the House committee on justice.

“Respondent Sereno committed a culpable violation of the Constitution when she failed to truthfully disclose her Statement of Assets, Liablities and Net Worth or SALN,” Gadon alleged in his 54-page impeachment complaint.

Among others, Gadon accused Sereno of non-declaration to her SALN of P37 million in lawyer’s fees and purchasing a luxury car with public funds

He said his complaint was endorsed by lawmakers after the Supreme Court (SC) granted his request for the original copies of the  documents.

House leaders who endorsed the impeachment complaint include Deputy Speakers Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, Mylene Garcia-Albano of Davao City, Ferdinand Hernandez of South Cotabato, and Frederick Abueg of Palawan.

Other lawmaker-endorsers include Reps. Edgar Sarmiento (Samar), Anthony Bravo (COOP NATCCO), Arnel Ty (LPGMA), Rodito Albano (Isabela), Francisco Matugas III (Surigao del Norte), Aurelio Gonzales (Pampanga), Federico Sandoval (Malabon), Joel Almario (Davao Oriental), Romeo Acop (Antipolo City), Bingbong Crisologo (QC), Pedro Acharon Jr. (South Cotabato), Xaier Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin), Gil Acosta (Palawan), Ann Hofer, (Zamboanga Sibugay), Winnie Castelo (QC), Jericho Nograles (PBA), John Marvin Nieto (Manila) Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte), Roger Mercado (Southern Leyte), Jennifer Barzaga (Cavite), and Lorna Bautista-Bandigan (Davao Occidental). DMS