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Republic of the Philippines vs. Sereno [SEPARATE OPINION, PERLAS-BERNABE, J.]

REPUBLIC of the PHILIPPINES, represented by SOLICITOR GENERAL JOSE C. CALIDA, Petitioner, vs. MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO Respondent. Present: SERENO, C.J.,* CARPIO, VELASCO, JR., LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, PERALTA, BERSAMIN, DEL CASTILLO, PERLAS-BERNABE, LEONEN, JARDELEZA, CAGUIOA, MARTIRES, TIJAM, REYES, JR., and GESMUNDO, JJ.

G.R. No. 237428 | 2018-05-11

SEPARATE OPINION

PERLAS-BERNABE, J.:

At the core of this matter is our touchstone of integrity. Inasmuch as it puts into issue respondent's personal integrity, this case of first impression raises novel questions of law which test the integrity of the Judiciary as an institution. Amidst its theoretical complexity and the controversy surrounding the same, my principles stand firm: while authority may be indeed wrested from the ineligible, things must be done in accordance with the prevailing constitutional order.

 
I.

For the first time in our nation's history, a petition for quo warranto[1] has been filed by the Solicitor...