MANILA, Philippines – The Liberal Party (LP) on Thursday, September 7, publicly chastised one of its members, Samar 1st District Representative Edgar Mary Sarmiento, for endorsing an impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. 

“The move of fellow Liberal Party member, Representative Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st district, Samar), to endorse the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno filed at the House of Representatives is a cause for concern,” said party president Senator Francis Pangilinan and secretary general Jose Christopher Belmonte in a statement.

Sarmiento was one of 25 lawmakers who endorsed an impeachment complaint against the Chief Justice filed by lawyer Larry Gadon. The complaint was filed on August 30 and will be discussed before the House plenary on September 7.

“While the party has yet to firm up its position on the matter, and while it recognizes the right of its members to take a position on issues, Representative Sarmiento could have consulted the party leadership before making such important decision,” the LP leaders added. 

In a statement, Pangilinan and Belmonte said that while the impeachment process is part of the Constitution’s checks and balances, it is a “double-edged sword.” (READ: The fall of the ‘dilawang’ Liberal Party)

“While it can strengthen democracy in a fair and impartial process, it can also destroy institutions if used to go after officials perceived to be uncooperative. Objective discussions among party members will help thresh out issues like this,” they added. 

LP members in the House of Representatives belong to different coalitions. Sarmiento and Belmonte belong to the majority while several of its members joined the opposition bloc. (READ: Being ‘dilawan’ in the Duterte-controlled House)

In the Senate, the LP and its allies form the minority. – Rappler.com