MANILA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Philippines' Supreme Court (SC) ousted on Friday Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Voting 8-6, the SC en banc granted the quo warranto petition to remove Sereno from office on the basis of an invalid appointment.

SC spokesman Theodore Te said the Supreme Court found Sereno "is disqualified from and is hereby adjudged guilty of unlawfully holding and exercising the office of the Chief Justice."

"Accordingly, respondent (Sereno) is ousted and excluded therefrom. The position of the Chief Justice is declared vacant," Te said, quoting the SC dispositive decision.

The SC also directed the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to commence the application and nomination process, Te said.

"This decision is immediately executory without need of further action from the court," Te added.

Solicitor General Jose Calida filed the quo warranto petition before the SC to seek the removal of Sereno by questioning the validity of her appointment on the basis of her alleged failure to fully disclose her personal wealth.

Sereno, who went on an "indefinite leave" beginning on March 1, 2018, has insisted the only way she can be removed from office is through impeachment as provided for by the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Several militant lawmakers and concerned citizens have called on the SC to dismiss the petition which they consider to be unconstitutional.

Sereno is the first constitutional officer to be removed from office without impeachment trial.

Jojo Lacanilao, Sereno's lawyer, said their camp will appeal the decision.

Former President Benigno Aquino appointed Sereno in 2012.