Chief justice takes 2-week break

MANILA, Philippines - Chief Justice Reynato Puno is taking a two-week break amid the brewing controversy surrounding the appointment of his successor.

Puno told reporters during a forum of the Supreme Court on family courts at the Manila Hotel yesterday that he would start his vacation leave on Wednesday, and he would be using what remains of his allowed vacation leave until his retirement on May 17.

“I want to use (my wellness and sabbatical leave) before I retire, because I can no longer avail of this leave when I go up to Baguio after Holy Week. After April, it’s May and (my term) is all over,” he said.

Puno stressed his taking a break had nothing to do with the controversy involving his retirement and the selection of his successor.

Puno also reiterated his decision not to take part in deliberations of the Supreme Court on several petitions seeking to stop or allow President Arroyo to name the next chief magistrate.

“The issue should be resolved before my retirement,” Puno stressed.

Puno is expected to skip two full Court sessions, on March 23 and 30, where the petitions are expected to be tackled.

As chief magistrate, Puno serves as chairman of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which is also in the center of the controversy. During his absence, the collegial body is set to continue deliberating on pending vacancies in courts before calling for a regular meeting of its members.

Under the rules, an acting chief justice should be named when the chief justice is on leave or on official trip abroad.

“The chief justice designates the acting chief justice. Traditionally, the chief justice designates the most senior,” SC spokesman Midas Marquez said.

This allows Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, a top contender for the chief justice post, the chance to temporarily sit as head of the High Court.

But Marquez said the chief justice has yet to choose who will take his place during his two-week absence.

As for the issues involving allegations of impropriety leveled against the two frontrunners for the next chief justice - Carpio and Associate Justice Renato Corona - Puno said they are already on the agenda of the Court and a justice assigned to determine if there is need to investigate the charges is expected to submit a recommendation shortly.