PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday once again ganged up on Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who are both facing impeachment charges before Congress.
In a speech before Mindanao businessmen, Duterte likewise dropped a hint that it was Sereno who was the official who was purportedly enjoying a lavish lifestyle.
“First of all, Morales is engaging in selective justice. Sereno, meanwhile, she’s running the Supreme Court as if it’s a private firm,” the President said.
“When she’s traveling abroad—as I’ve said, I’ve always led a simple life. When we enter into hotels, we’re not into suites,” he added.
Morales is the older sister of lawyer Lucas Carpio, Jr. , the father-in-law of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
In a speech last August, Duterte said he was looking into reports that a top public official not belonging to the executive branch allegedly stayed in expensive hotels and traveled via first class.
While he did not divulge the name of the official, he was insinuating at Sereno’s alleged involvement, who is subject to impeachment for allegedly violating the 1987 Constitution.
Duterte also reminded Cabinet members to live frugally since it’s taxpayer’s money that they were spending.
In the same speech, Duterte slammed Morales for failing to prosecute her supposed ‘yellow’ allies.
Impeachment complaints are currently lined up against Sereno and Morales, respectively.
Another complaint was filed against Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista.
Earlier, former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras filed an impeachment complaint against Bautista for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution over allegations of ill-gotten wealth. The complaint was endorsed by at least three lawmakers.
Lawyer Larry Gadon, meanwhile, wanted Sereno removed from her post for betrayal of public trust for the “whimsical” and “excessive” purchase of the latest model of the Toyota Land Cruiser amounting to P5.1 million, as well as her alleged failure to declare “exorbitant lawyer’s fees” allegedly amounting to P37 million. The complaint was endorsed by at least 25 lawmakers.
The VACC earlier said it would file an impeachment complaint against Morales this week. Morales has has only 10 months left in her seven-year term.
A draft complaint alleged that Morales betrayed the public trust and was guilty of culpable violations of the Constitution due to alleged selective prosecution of cases and inordinate delays or failure to act on pending complaints.
Any impeachment complaint filed could be transmitted to the Senate once it reaches one-third or 98 out of 294 House members.