The Supreme Court has refused to reverse its May 11, 2018 decision that removed Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice.
Still with a vote of 8-6, the High Court denied Sereno’s motion for reconsideration, the High Court’s Information Chief Atty. Theodore Te said in a press conference.
“The Supreme Court during its session today (Tuesday, June 19), in the matter of Republic of the Philippines vs. Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno denied with finality respondent’s Motion for Reconsideration of the Court’s May 11, 2018 decision,” Te said at a press conference.
The May 11 decision granted the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida and invalidated the appointment of Sereno in 2012.
The SC disqualified her from the post for lack of proven integrity due to her failure to file all her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) when she was still teaching law in the University of the Philippines.
Then, on May 30, Sereno filed a motion for reconsideration asking a reversal of the May 11 ruling.
The justices who voted against Sereno in the original ruling are Teresita Leonardo De Castro, Noel Tijam, Lucas Bersamin, Diosdado Peralta, Francis Jardeleza, Samuel Martires, Alexander Gesmundo and Andres Reyes Jr. while those who dissented are acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, Marvic Leonen, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Mariano del Castillo, Estela Perlas Bernabe and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.
It was Tijam who penned the original decision of the case.
READ: Sereno appeals to SC: Do what is right and just
Because the motion has been denied with finality, Sereno can no longer file another appeal./muf