THE HOUSE impeachment committee resumes its inquiry today, Jan. 29, to hear the charges raised against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes P.A. Sereno, with two of her colleagues in the Supreme Court (SC) as well as associate justices of the Sandiganbayan scheduled to take part in the proceedings.

Oriental Mindoro Representative Reynaldo V. Umali, committee chairman, said the committee is set to “close” its deliberation on the creation of the Regional Court Administration Office in Region 7 (RCAO-7), one of several points of contention in the allegations raised against Ms. Sereno.

Associate Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro, Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, and former Clerk of Court Enriqueta E. Vidal are expected to shed light on that matter, as is Sandiganbayan first division Associate Justice Geraldine Faith A. Econg.

The procurement of the 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, will be discussed with Associate Justice Mariano C. del Castillo, Clerk of Court Felipa B. Anama, audit team leader Meriam U. Ansama, and Michael B. Ocampo of the Office of the Chief Justice and Ma. Lourdes E.B. Oliveros, who heads Ms. Sereno’s staff. Also scheduled to take part in that discussion is Sandiganbayan seventh division Associate Justice Zaldy V. Trespeses.

The same resource persons are also expected to touch on the subject of hiring Helen P. Macasaet, the information-technology consultant who was allegedly given excessive compensation for her services. Also scheduled to take part in that discussion are Deputy Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, Assistant Court Administrator Regina M. Ignacio, Management Information Systems Office (MISO) acting chief Carlos N. Garay, and Ms. Macasaet, who had been invited to Monday’s proceedings.

Other topics for discussion include allegations of manipulation in the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC); temporary restraining order being questioned in connection with a case between the Senior Citizens party-list and the Commission on Elections; Ms. Sereno’s financial statements; and her allegedly luxurious travels.

Mr. Umali said his committee can finish its deliberations by the end of February. “We think we will make it… Kasi konti na lang naman ’yung (Because there are only few) matters that we need to study,” he said in a phone interview.

As for the criminal case filed by impeachment complainant Lorenzo G. Gadon against Ms. Sereno last Friday, Jan. 26, Mr. Umali said: “That’s a separate issue… Sa ’min wala naman ’yon kasi (This has no bearing on our work because) whether or not mag-file ng kaso (a case is filed), at least an investigation on the matter can be conducted officially. Kasi kami naman (Because on our part), we’re just building the case and we’re not doing any investigation, big, on that. Kaya ’yung amin, allegation lang kaso, hindi siya sumasagot. Baka dito mapwersa na siyang sumagot (So what we are just tackling are allegations, but she is not answering. Maybe this time she will be compelled to answer).” — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

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