Padre Faura Street in Manila was a cacophony of sound and color on Friday as supporters and critics of erstwhile Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno marched in front of the Supreme Court building to await the tribunal’s ruling on the quo warranto case filed against her.
Both pro- and anti-Sereno camps brought posters, signs and audio systems to announce their positions in the contentious issue, with the pros sporting red ribbons in defiance of the top magistrate – red also being the color identified with President Rodrigo Duterte, who had called for the Chief Justice to step down and who endorsed the petition through the Solicitor General.
Some of the rallyists even got physical as they approached the SC’s gates on Padre Faura, only to be separated by Manila policemen overseeing the crowds.
A little past 11 a.m., Sereno finally emerged on a makeshift platform inside the high court’s compound after learning of the 8-6 vote that formally unseated her as top magistrate. Wearing a light purple shirt with a pink scarf, she delivered a prepared speech in Filipino, as dozens of media photographers, cameramen and journalists jostled for position in front of her.
Both boos and cheers were heard as Sereno spoke, mirroring the mixed reactions from the public elsewhere in the country.
Some users of Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites said removing the chief justice by means other than impeachment was unconstitutional, while others rejoiced at Sereno’s removal.
“I always maintain that CJ Sereno can only be removed through impeachment process. The failure to perform such exercise will undermine our Constitution thus affecting the entire nation,” said Dante Nacuray, a resident of Mandaluyong City.
“The ouster of Chief Justice Sereno is unconstitutional! How can we trust the justice system if the associate justices of the SC are unjust?!,” said Ramil Correa, professor at the De La Salle University and president of Sanggunian sa Filipino, an organization of Filipino professors.
Businesswoman Joann Dy-Suriaga of Tondo, Manila said “I believe it has been carefully studied by the pool of justices, she deserve the decision! Karma it is!”
Rizaldy Balce seconded Suriaga, saying “Justice has prevailed!!!”
Yael Toribio commented on his Twitter account : “Today is a sad day for democracy. Now more than ever, it’s high time that we intensify our fight against this blatant attack on our democracy.”
Zeejay also tweeted: “I am not totally against Sereno ouster if there are enough grounds. But not quo warranto because it would mean that even the highest court of the land is no longer protected by the Constitution. Majority of the law experts are against Quo Warranto against CJ.”
Motorists and commuters encountered heavy traffic on both lanes of Taft Avenue and other major streets in Malate and Ermita in Manila due to closure of Padre Faura Street, where more than 2,000 pro- and anti-Sereno demonstrators converged.
Policemen only allowed employees of the Department of Justice, Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and University of the Philippines Manila students into the area around the Supreme Court.
Trucks across the street served as barricades to clear the direct vicinity of the Supreme Court, police said.
Traffic personnel from the Metro Manila Development Authority assisted enforcers from the city government of Manila in manning traffic in the affected areas.
“We were asked by Manila Police District if we could assist them in managing the traffic regarding anticipated rallies in the Supreme Court. We will assist the Western Traffic Enforcement District in any capacity we could give them,” said MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago.
Manila Police District officials said as of 9 a.m., 1,800 pro-Sereno supporters and 200 anti-Sereno supporters gathered and held their rallies along Padre Faura and Taft Avenue.
The MPD was reinforced by additional policemen from the National Capital Region Police Office – Regional Mobile Force Battalion, who arrived on Padre Faura s few hours before the Supreme Court en banc session started.
Classes and work at UP Manila were suspended.
In a statement, the UP Manila administration said “For the safety and security of the students, faculty, and staff, Dean Estacio Jr, with the authority of the Chancellor, suspended the classes and office work for CAS (College of Arts and Science) only due to the current situation in Padre Faura street.”
The anti-Sereno group Citizens Crime Watch (CCW) and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption encountered Tindig Pilipinas, a separate group supporting the chief magistrate.
Police said the Tindig Pilipinas proceeded to other end of Padre Faura designated for anti-Sereno demonstrators. The CCW also tried to block the pro-Sereno group from proceeding further.
The Sereno-ouster supporters led by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio chanted, “Yes, yes, yo, quo warranto; No, no, no, Sereno.”
Sereno supporters, on the other hand, put up a makeshift stage along Taft Avenue for a program. They chanted prayers and worship songs ahead of the announcement of Supreme Court’s decision.
Supreme Court employees were seen clad in red shirts and put up ‘One Supreme Court’ tarpaulin in front of SC building. Purple and red ribbons were tied around the compound gates .
Law students and a number of professors also attended the rally and expressed support for Sereno. Social activist Juana Change and former Education secretary Armin Luistro were also seen joining the “Jericho March” which started around 4 a.m. Friday.
Anti-Sereno protesters later jumped for joy after they heard about the 8-6 vote that ousted her.