A group of Catholic priests and academics has challenged Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Samuel R. Martires’ candidacy for the post of Ombudsman over his involvement in the quo warranto case that ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno last May 11.
In their 6-page letter of opposition submitted on Monday to the Judicial and Bar Council’s (JBC) Ex-Officio Charmain and Acting Chief Justice Antonio T. Carpio, members of the St. Vincent Shool of Theology, Faith Bible College, Inc., and Asian Theological Seminary said Mr. Martires “has failed to meet (the) standard” for the post due to his lack of probity.
The group defined probity as the “adherence to the highest principles and ideals” and “having strong moral principles, honesty, and decency.”
“Justice Martires’ refusal to inhibit himself from the Quo Warranto case despite the clear directive in the New Code of Judicial Conduct that requires a judge to disqualify himself mandatorily when there is bias and partiality as shown by having more personal knowledge on facts being disputed duting a trial shows his lack of probity,” the letter read.
It added: “His patently biased line of questioning during the oral arguments on the connection between (Ms. Sereno’s mental health) and (God as a source of strength) betrays a blatant lack of respect for faith-based communities despite the clear Constitutional guarantee mandating respect for religious freedom which as a Justice of the Supreme Court he is bound to observe.” — Dane Angelo Enerio

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