Ethical violations

This letter expresses the possibility of ethical violations committed by the psychiatrists who released the medical findings on Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno without her consent, among other issues.

It was revealed in social media that Sereno was denied the right to legal counsel during the investigation. The charges against her were not constitutional crimes that are impeachable. The complainants were the justices who were bypassed by her appointment as chief justice.

These justices may have been resentful although it was the president’s prerogative to appoint Sereno, not her own strategy or based on her academic record as valedictorian of her UP class and having been No. 8 in the bar exams.

Additionally, what happened to the separation of power among the three branches of government? All the above-mentioned issues lurk in the minds of citizens.

DR. SANTIAGO A. DEL ROSARIO, Chair, Commission on Ethics and former President, Philippine Medical Association