Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and President Rodrigo Duterte. (File photos from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
President Rodrigo Duterte has evidence to back his allegation that Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was corrupt,聽Malaca帽ang said on Monday.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure he does. He鈥檚 a lawyer. He knows he must speak out of substantial evidence,鈥� Presidentia Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a Palace briefing.
In a speech on Saturday night, Duterte said the Supreme Court is 鈥渉eaded by a corrupt [justice].鈥�
The President said Sereno did not declare in her statement of assets, liabilities, and networth (SALN) the 聽P37 million professional fee she received from the government as private lawyer in the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc (Piatco) case.
Abella dismissed insinuations that the President was engaging in 鈥渢rial by publicity.鈥�
鈥淗e鈥檚 simply stating his opinion about the matter. So it鈥檚 not trying to create trial by publicity,鈥� he said.
The Palace official said Duterte would release evidence against Sereno 鈥渁t the right time and as necessary.鈥�
Sereno is facing an impeachment complaint聽lawyer filed by lawyer Lorenzo 鈥淟arry鈥� Gadon.
Among the grounds cited was her allegedly undeclared professional fee in the Piatco case.
The House Committee on Justice has found the impeachment complaint against Sereno sufficient in form and substance.
/atm