Ito ang iginiit muli ni Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno ilang oras matapos namang manawagan ang mga opisyal at empleyado ng Korte Suprema na gawin ang “supreme sacrifice” sa pamamagitan ng pagbibitiw sa puwesto.
Sa kanyang talumpati sa University of the Philippines Diliman, iginiit ni Sereno na ang tama na dapat niyang gawin ay labanan ang kanyang impeachment hanggang sa dulo.
“I am determined to wage ‘til the logical end of this battle started by those who seek to undermine the Constitution and the judiciary. I am resolute in carrying on the good and noble fight for judicial independence. I will finish the course of this thorny race,” sabi ni Sereno.
Nauna nang nanawagan ang mga opisyal at empleyado ng Kataastaasang Hukuman na magbitiw na lamang si Sereno.
“I do not doubt that resignation is the easier option. Allowing the weight of the office of the Chief Justice to be immediately lifted off my shoulders, freeing me to pursue many things ordinary citizens do. It will end the unrelenting attacks against my person, my staff, and other court officials,” ayon pa kay Sereno.
Idinagdag ni Sereno na mawawala ang pagiging independent ng Korte Suprema sakaling magbitiw siya sa kanyang katungkulan.
“To do so would invite the kind of extra-constitutional adventurism that treats legal rights and procedures as mere inconveniences that should be set aside when it suits the powers that be,” giit pa ni Sereno.