Duterte denies hand in impeachment bid vs Sereno

November 22, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte has denied having a hand in the impeachment move against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Duterte made the denial after Sereno accused him and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of actually being behind the bid to remove her in office.

"She can ask anybody, I guarantee you. I'll make a guarantee, she can ask if I reached out to anybody and told 'impeach Sereno,' except the public," he said in an ambush interview after a speech Tuesday night in Taguig.

"Ma'am Sereno, I'm sorry to tell you and you can investigate the whole town and you can commission all the journalists who are good at investigative journalism if I ever talked to anyone about your impeachment," Duterte stressed.

The House justice committee is holding impeachment hearings on Sereno Wednesday.

Duterte said he just reacted because of many complaints coming from the justices themselves and the way Sereno conducted herself, such as her alleged lavish travels.

"I just echoed, like the travel. Well, I also travel, but we can't all be president. If you want, let's exchange (positions)," Duterte said, noting that Sereno could also have the luxury rooms being accorded to a president whenever he has overseas trips.

Sereno allegedly stayed in luxurious hotel rooms when she went abroad. Duterte said he himself also boards the plane using economy class.

He said Sereno could upgrade her travel class, "but to travel first class, that is flaunting. Who would believe that you're using your own money."  Celerina Monte/DMS