MANILA, Philippines — It’s by facing the House committee on justice – and not by issuing statements to the media – that Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno can properly defend herself from accusations in an impeachment complaint, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said yesterday. The House justice committee, chaired by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, has invited several other witnesses and subpoenaed relevant documents. On Wednesday, Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita de Castro and court administrator Midas Marquez testified in the hearing. Sereno has refused the committee’s invitation for her to personally defend herself and instead has sent her lawyers. Asked what would happen if Sereno resigns, Alvarez said the impeachment process would be terminated.

Source: Philippine Star December 01, 2017 16:18 UTC