By Perfecto T. Raymundo Jr.
MANILA, Aug. 27 (PNA) — Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. Aranal Sereno said on Thursday that the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) allowing Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail for the case of plunder is not yet final.
During the “Chief Justice Meets the Press,” Sereno said that an appeal or a motion for reconsideration can still be filed on the SC decision.
On the alleged misunderstanding between Associate Justices Lucas P. Bersamin and Marvic F. Leonen, Sereno said the misunderstanding on opinion is just a normal part of their work.
Sereno said that each one of them has his or her vote and opinion on issues and the “sharp response” of each one is not “far-fetched.”
Some of the big cases brought up during the media forum are about the pending Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States.
However, Sereno stressed that she could not preempt the Court in such cases.
On the Maguindanao massacre case, Sereno admitted that the trial of the case may be delayed if there will be a new judge who will handle the case.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221 Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, who is handling the Maguindanao massacre case, was included in the shortlist of nominees to be selected by President Benigno S. Aquino III for the appointment of a new Associate Justice in the Court of Appeals (CA).
On the electoral protest of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II against Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sereno said there are still pending motions to be resolved. (PNA)