Sereno Resolution

Republic Vs Sereno June 19, 2018 (RESOLUTION)
Facts:
Respondent Ma. Lourdes Sereno filed Motion for Reconsideration of the Court's Decision dated May 11, 2018. The decision
granted a petition for quo warranto against the respondent, holding the latter guilty of unlawfully holding and exercising
the office of the Chief Justice. Sereno contends that the Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction over an action for quo
warranto since she is an impeachable official and may only be removed from office by impeachment under the jurisdiction
of Congress. and that respondent was and is a person of proven integrity.
Disputing respondent's claims, the OSG reiterates that respondent's repeated failure to file her Statement of Assets,
Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and her non-submission thereof to the JBC which the latter required to prove the integrity
of an applicant affect respondent's integrity. The OSG concludes that respondent, not having possessed of proven integrity,
failed to meet the constitutional requirement for appointment to the Judiciary.
Issue:
W/N the Supreme Court has the authority to decide the quo warranto petition against Sereno who is an impeachable
official
Held:
The Court reaffirms its authority to decide the instant quo warranto action. This authority is expressly conferred on the
Supreme Court by the Constitution under Section 5, Article VIII which states that:
Sec. 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:
1. Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and over petitions
for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus.
The Constitution defines judicial power as a "duty" to be performed by the courts of justice. Thus, for the Court to repudiate
its own jurisdiction over this case would be to abdicate a constitutionally imposed responsibility.
The Court has the constitutional mandate to exercise jurisdiction over quo warranto petitions. Impeachable officers are not
immune to quo warranto actions. Thus, a refusal by the Court to take cognizance of this case would not only be a breach
of its duty under the Constitution, it would also accord respondent an exemption not given to other impeachable officers.
Such privilege finds no justification either in law, as impeachable officers are treated without distinction under the
impeachment provisions of the Constitution, or in reason, as the qualifications of the Chief Justice are no less important
than the President's or the Vice-President's.
Quo warranto is not a figment of imagination or invention of this Court. It is a mandate boldly enshrined in the
Constitution where the judiciary is conferred original jurisdiction to the exclusion of the other branches of the
government. Quo warranto, not impeachment, is the constitutional remedy prescribed to adjudicate and resolve questions
relating to qualifications, eligibility and entitlement to public office. Those who chose to ignore this fact are Constitutionally
blind. US Supreme Court Justice Scalia once said: "If it is in the Constitution, it is there. If it is not in the Constitution, it is
not there." There is nothing in Our Constitution that says that impeachable officers are immuned, exempted, or excluded
from quo warranto proceedings when the very issue to be determined therein is the status of an officer as such. No amount
of public indignation can rewrite or deface the Constitution.
The plain issue in the main case was whether respondent is eligible to occupy the position of Chief Justice. To determine
whether or not respondent is eligible, the consideration is whether respondent met the requisite Constitutional requirements
for the position. Questions on eligibility therefore present a justiciable issue, which can be resolved by posing the facts with
the Constitution, as well as pertinent laws and jurisprudence. Court affirmed its jurisdiction to resolve the issue on the
qualification for membership of this Court as the body tasked with the determination of the merits of conflicting claims
under the Constitution, even when the JBC has the initial competence to do so.
WHEREFORE, respondent Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno's Ad Cautelam Motion for Reconsideration

is DENIED with FINALITY for lack of merit. No further pleadings shall be entertained. Let entry of judgment be made
immediately.

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Republic Vs Sereno June 19, 2018 (RESOLUTION)

Sec. 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:

WHEREFORE, respondent Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno's Ad Cautelam Motion for Reconsideration

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