Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 27) — The reporter behind the articles against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno denied one particular associate justice was his source, as the Lower House resumed its impeachment hearings Monday.
Manila Times journalist Jomar Canlas faced members of the justice committee, after the complainant, Atty. Larry Gadon, claimed the news story was the basis of one of the allegations against Sereno. In the article, Sereno was accused of falsifying a Temporary Restraining Order in 2013 that prevented the proclamation of certain party-list groups.
Falsification of documents falls under the culpable violation of the Constitution, one of the allegations against Sereno in the impeachment complaint.
“I hereby deny that I have intimated to Atty. Gadon that the source of facts in my article is Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro,” Canlas told the lawmakers.
Canlas said he quoted many sources at the High Court for the story, but De Castro was not one of them.
Gadon, however, stood by his statement that Canlas told him De Castro was the source, although he initially said he could no longer remember if Canlas was the one who told him so.
When the panel pressed Canlas for the names of his sources, Canlas invoked Republic Act 53 or the Sotto Law.
Under the law, reporters cannot be forced to reveal their sources, unless the issue involves national security.
But when asked by Siquijor Representative Rav Rocamora if he had personal knowledge of the claims, the Manila Times reporter said he did not.
“I was not there of course, your honor, please, because it was an executive session. Only the justices are inside. I cannot have personal knowledge,” Canlas said.
Rocamora then replied, “Basic rule on evidence: you cannot testify on matters that you do not have personal knowledge on.”
The Siquijor lawmaker said Canlas’ article is hearsay evidence, which may not be used in the impeachment court.
De Castro, alongside the other invited resource persons, did not show up at the impeachment hearing.
READ: Supreme Court justices and officials skip Sereno impeachment hearing
They were earlier invited by the House panel’s chairperson, Representative Reynaldo Umali, after seeking clarification on Gadon’s claims against the Chief Justice.
After an almost 10-hour hearing on November 22, Umali admitted some of Gadon’s allegations were based on hearsay and incomplete documents.
