Complainant bares plot to ensure Sereno walks

LORENZO Gadon, the lawyer who filed an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, claims he received information that an “oligarch” plans to bribe senators with P200 million to ensure that the top magistrate is acquitted in an impeachment trial.

He was still trying to “verify” the information, he said Sunday.

“Meron akong impormasyon na nakuha na vine-verify ko pa ngayon na kaya pala malakas ang loob niya kasi pinapangakuan siya ng isang oligarko na babayaran na lang daw niya yung mga Senador para lang iabswelto siya,” Gadon told dzBB radio.

“Malalim na itong labanan na ito at ang dinig ko babayaran daw nila ng P200 million ang bawat Senador na boboto ng pagabswelto kay Sereno, eh ‘yan ay kinukimpirma ko pa ngayon pero naniniwala ako na hindi papayag ang mga Senador sapagkat sila ay dignified na tao at isipin naman nila yung kapakanan ng bansa.”

Gadon made his statement even as House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he believed Sereno was in serious trouble after Associate Justice Teresita de Castro’s testimony that Sereno “misled” her for the ratification of an order and other issues.

He said Sereno could resort to diversionary tactic as a remedy to her troubled defense aggravated by her continued refusal to attend the impeachment proceedings by the House committee, led by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali.

“Publicity style, [she could resort to such] to divert the real issue since she herself could not confront the real issues,” Alvarez said.

Gadon refused to name the supposed oligarch.

“Itong oligarkong ito ay palaging nananalo sa mga kaso kay Sereno,” Gadon said.

Despite his claim, Gadon said he believeD that senators could not be bought as they were “dignified” and “have their own minds.”

Gadon accuses Sereno of violating the Constitution, corruption and betrayal of public trust filed by Gadon.

The impeachment complaint against her has been determined sufficient in form and substance.

The House justice panel is set to continue its hearing on Tuesday to determine if there is probable cause to pursue the impeachment complaint against Sereno.