Puno's ouster could incite public uproar, Gordon warns

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today warned that it could fan the flames of public discontent into a raving inferno if rumored moves to oust Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno to pave the way for Charter change were true.

Gordon said that what happened recently in Pakistan could also happen here if Puno, who had been described as beyond reproach in his value system and conduct, would be forcibly removed from his post before his retirement.

"It would lead to terrible repercussions if Chief Justice Puno would be removed from his post forcibly through impeachment to pave the way for Cha-cha because the Chief Justice is doing a good job," he said.

"It would fan the people's ire if he (Puno) would be ousted. He has shown nothing but goodness and the people believe in his integrity as chief justice," he added.

Gordon was referring to reports that Pakistan's president, General Pervez Musharraf, unceremoniously suspended the country's Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry because of misconduct allegations.

The move has set off immense controversy and threatens to spiral into a constitutional crisis, with lawyers and rights activists denouncing the assault on the independence of the judiciary.

Gordon stressed that the 1987 Constitution provides for the separation of powers among the three branches of government, hence the independence of the judiciary must be respected at all times.

"The Supreme Court, being an independent body, is the last bastion of democracy in our country. Hence any move to undermine its independence should not be countenanced," he said.