Transcript of Interview with Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon

Q: On the quo warranto petition against the Chief Justice

SFMD: The petition has been filed and the Supreme Court has to tackle it,. We have learned in law school that the Constitution is what the Supreme Court says it is. In other words, unless put otherwise, the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of Constituionals issues. Let me expres the apprehension that the moment the Supreme Court entertains and rules on this - that is has the power to, in effect, dismiss the Chief Justice - that same rule applies to them. That same rule will apply to heads of various constitutional bodies, including the COA, Comelec, the Vice President and even to the President, because these are all impeachable officers, who can now be subject to a quo warranto petition. This is a slippery slope that can set a precedent. Extra care must be exercised by the Supreme Court. But as I've said, the ball is in teir court and it is up to them to decide.

Q: Sir, pwede bang i-declasify yung psychiatric record ni CJ Sereno?

SFMD: That is a matter which we will rule upon when it is raised in the impeachment court. That is a matter which will be raised in the impeachment court.

Q: Sir, yung quo warranto, will it be a dangerous precedent once mag-rule ang SC?

SFMD: It's a slippery slope. They must be prepared to accept the same petition for all impeachable officers.

Q: Sir, yung sa quo warranto ibig sabihin desidido talaga na tanggalin ang Chief Justice?

SFMD: I don't want to comment of motives. Under the Constitution, the qualifications to qualify as a justice of the Supreme Court, he or she must be a natural-born citizen, 40 years of age and must have 15 years of practice. Now the issue of the SALN is being raised and asserted that it is ground to disqualify the Chief Justice. As I've said the qualification are only three but the SALN can be a cited in the impeachment articles.