JUSTICE SECRETARY Menardo I. Guevarra on Sunday defended his department after ousted chief justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno alleged that they were using subpoenas to harass her and her aides.
When sought for comment on Ms. Sereno’s statements, Mr. Guevarra said, “Our investigating prosecutors routinely issue subpoenas to any and all persons named as respondents in complaints filed before the DoJ (Department of Justice). That’s part of procedural due process and should not be viewed as an act of harassment.”
He added: “The DoJ under my watch will not be used to advance any political purpose.”
Ms. Sereno, in a DZMM radio interview on Saturday, said, “Dalawang tauhan ko ngayon ang sinubpoena na at pinasasagot ng Department of Justice para ipaliwanag ang ginawa nila habang sila ay nasa hudikatura (The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas against two of my aides to explain their duties while they were still in the judiciary.)”
“Pang-aabuso talaga ang nangyayari (What’s happening is really harassment,)” she said.
She further claimed that her political enemies are not stopping at having her removed from the judiciary’s top post, but aim to flaunt the power of their authority. — Dane Angelo M. Enerio

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