Drilon, a lawyer, former secretary of justice and former Senate President, warned that imprudent exercise of these powers may trigger a serious constitutional crisis. Umali said the committee would exercise its power to order Sereno’s arrest if the Chief Justice refused to honor the subpoena. Forcing Sereno to attend and testify against herself in an impeachment hearing cannot be done without triggering a constitutional crisis, he said. The Chief Justice is not being asked to testify as a resource person who can be subpoenaed to assist the [House] discharge its legislative function,” Drilon said. He urged Umali to “exercise extreme caution” in using the coercive powers of Congress to issue a subpoena to Sereno, as there is no basis for it and it will only provoke a needless constitutional crisis.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 27, 2017 23:26 UTC