By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental chapter of Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark) denounced the Supreme Court justices who voted in favor of the quo warranto petition to oust Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

In a statement by spokesperson Joanne Lim, she said, with the recent development, the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is “undeniably rejoicing for successfully completing its task of controlling the judiciary and consolidating its hold on power.”

She said the institution is “obviously shaken” and claimed, all present and future justices, whether they deny it or not, are vulnerable to the whims of the Malacañan Palace.

“Those justices who opted to dance to the tunes of President Rodrigo Duterte have condemned themselves in the eyes of all freedom-loving Filipinos,” Lim said

She called it a “historic vote,” saying it validated their views that the present political system is “not only seriously flawed but is also rotten to its very core.”

“The illusion of an independent judiciary has been broken,” Lim stated. “The illusion that the branches of government are co-equal and independent of political and external influence, especially from Malacañan, has been busted.”

“The illusion of checks and balances within the government’s branches and agencies has now been irreparably severed,” she added.

Lim warned the ouster would not lead to massive reforms in the judiciary, noting, “Duterte’s every whim, whatever its irreconcilability with the laws of the land, will find justification in the Supreme Court’s interpretation.”

Yesterday, Sereno was ousted from office after the Supreme Court voted 8-to-6 in favor of the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

Following her ouster, Sereno may face disbarment for allegedly violating the constitution for failing to file her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth./DGB, WDJ