Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 1) — Responding to a challenge to issue a bank waiver, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said she already has a waiver that allows investigators to look into her financial records, a spokesperson said Saturday.
Atty. Josalee Deinla in a statement said the waiver is included in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
“The (SALN) includes a waiver that authorizes the Ombudsman to obtain and secure documents that may show assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests, and financial connections from all appropriate government agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue,” the statement read.
Sereno’s lawyer refers to the certification on the second page of the SALN form.
The clause also allows the Ombudsman to look into the financial records of the official’s spouse and unmarried children below 18 years of age.
The camp of Sereno issued the statement after Atty. Larry Gadon, who filed an impeachment complaint against the chief magistrate, asked for a bank waiver.
Gadon told CNN Philippines on Sunday that a “bank waiver is very specific” and the SALN is not.
“Allowing access to financial records (is) different from allowing inquiry into my bank accounts,” Gadon said.
Gadon in his complaint accused Sereno of committing corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.
READ: One of two impeachment raps vs. Chief Justice Sereno hurdles House panel
He said Sereno used public funds to “finance her lavish lifestyle” by purchasing a brand new car Toyota Land Cruiser worth P5 million.
Gadon also accused Sereno of misdeclarations in her SALN, which was the same argument used to impeach former chief justice Renato Corona.
Laywers at the Lower House opposed to Gadon complaint said they saw no supposed misdeclaration in the SALN, since the huge legal fees Gadon mentioned were received by Sereno for a case she worked on before joining the judiciary.
READ: Sereno asks House panel to junk impeachment complaint
The House Justice Committee found the complaint sufficient in form and substance on September 13. The House panel will submit to the plenary its report and resolution by March 2018, or within the prescribed 60 session days.
