Puno tells staff: Respect GMA choice

Associate Justice Reynato Puno, recently bypassed in the appointment of a new chief justice, told his black-clad staff to respect the decision of President Arroyo and not be disappointed that she had named Artemio Panganiban to lead the Supreme Court.

Puno yesterday issued a one-page statement calling on his staff and the public to respect the judgment made by Mrs. Arroyo in appointing Panganiban as the Philippines’ 21st chief justice.

"The President has exercised her exclusive constitutional power of appointment. Let us all respect her judgment," Puno said. "The Almighty has a plan for all of us and I gave that the All Seeing Eye does not play dice with our destinies. Indeed, even pain has a purpose."

A majority of Puno’s staff have been donning black pants and shirts since Wednesday, ostensibly as a show of sympathy for their boss, who was bypassed with the appointment of Panganiban. Puno is the most senior member of the High Tribunal.

Puno, who is set to retire in 2010, is two years senior to Panganiban in terms of their service in the SC.

"We are just disappointed," a member of Puno’s staff said on condition of anonymity. "But then we just have to respect the appointment."

Puno dispelled rumors that he would seek early retirement from the Supreme Court: "Those who desire to reduce me to posthumous significance will not experience any ecstasy."

He also said he will continue to work as a humble member of the court: "As always, I pledge to be an independent-minded jurist — regardless of consequence; to fight for the civil liberties of the people against abuses coming from any and all sources; to do battle with (people who harbor) vested interests — especially those who believe they have a divine right to selfishness; and to protect the institutional independence of the high court against threats of tampering from within and without its portals."

In his statement, Puno also said this: "I wish Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban all the best."

In an interview, Puno’s secretary, lawyer Maidas Marquez, said Puno treated his staff to lunch at a restaurant in Malate, Manila.

"We just had lunch," Marquez said, adding that Puno "just explained his side of the matter. He told us to have no bitterness, no anger. "Let’s remove (the bitterness and anger) because we cannot decide well in the cases. I think he has accepted the turn of events," he said.

Marquez also denied that Puno walked out of the farewell party for retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., which Malacañang hosted recently at the Manila Hotel.

"Justice Puno does not like social functions," she said. "He just had to go to Manila Hotel because the justices had a number, they danced, then he left."

Marquez said that, contrary to earlier reports, Puno is not leaving the country, though she said he might go on "a vacation abroad — I’m not really sure."

What Marquez is sure of, however, is that Puno "will just continue working as he has been doing in the past. It will be just the same for Justice Puno."

When asked about the black outfits worn by Puno’s sympathizers and staff since Wednesday, she said: "Wearing black is not a protest. The President has the discretion to appoint whoever she wants. Black is fashionable."

In his first meeting with journalists covering the SC, Court of Appeals (CA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) at the Jade Vine restaurant in Manila, Panganiban denied reports that he had been appointed by Mrs. Arroyo because of his closeness to her.

"I’m not physically, emotionally or otherwise close to" President Arroyo, Paganiban said. "We know each other casually. She did not call me before or after my appointment. She did not speak to me at all before or after, contrary to some people who say I am close to her."

Panganiban also said he did not expect his appointment to the helm of the SC, though he is grateful that the President appointed him chief justice.

Panganiban said he hasn’t seen Puno yet since his appointment early this week.

While Panganiban hasn’t "seen (Puno) or talked to him," Panganiban said Puno is his "good friend."

He also said, "I remain, as I am, as I was. Why should (the President’s) decision change me? I will always uphold integrity, transparency and credibility of the judiciary."

He also said he maintains his firm, pro-life position: "I believe that the death penalty of the Philippines is violative of the Constitution and should not be enforced."