Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

An impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno alleged that she failed to submit her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) to the Judicial and Bar Council when she applied as chief justice in 2012.Sereno is the first chief justice to be removed by her peers and the second top judge to lose the position after her predecessor was impeached for non-disclosure of wealth. Sereno is being accused of culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, other high crimes, and betrayal of public trust, in the complaint filed by Gadon. The impeachment complaint against her has been determined sufficient in form and substance and also found to be with sufficient grounds.

The Judicial and Bar Council call to begin searching for Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno's replacement at the Supreme Court. Applicants for the top post in the high tribunal have until July 26 to submit requirements to the JBC. Applications can be made by the applicants themselves or through endorsements by another person, or organization. Candidates to the high court must be at least 40 years old and must have been, for 15 years or more, judges of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines. The most senior of the justices are automatically nominated: Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Teresita De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, and Lucas Bersamin.But Carpio said last week that he would decline the nomination, while Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. is no longer in the running since he will retire on August 8.

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