Ouster move vs Puno a shameless act - Gordon

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today said the alleged move to impeach Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Reynato Puno is a shameless act and is unfortunate that there are people who actually think of ousting him.

Gordon said he sees no reason to oust Puno, who has been credited for his independence despite being appointed by President Arroyo to the highest position in the High Court.

"As the highest official of the Supreme Court, Justice Puno has displayed credibility and independence from political biases. He upholds the Supreme Court's mandate as the last bastion of democracy," he said.

"I see no reason why there would be individuals who would want him impeached. Shame on those who even think about those ouster moves," he added.

Reports say that the threat to remove Puno from his post is tied to the SC's alleged non-promulgation of a decision disqualifying an incumbent House member despite the concurrence of 14 other justices.

However, SC spokesperson Jose Midas Marquez has said that the matter has been placed on the court's agenda and that until it is promulgate, it will remain on the SC's agenda.

Gordon said moves to oust Puno could be politically motivated and may only cause public uprising if pushed through without concrete evidence that the Chief Justice is guilty of irregular acts.

"We do not want to stir the public's emotions again. Our government has been hounded with controversies on top of each other and this issue of ousting the Chief Justice would only agitate the people's already agitated minds," he said.