The Philippine Online Chronicles

Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said that he would not recognize the next Chief Justice appointed by the outgoing president, as it would be "contrary to the constitutional ban on appointments during the wee hours of her presidency, and contrary to propriety and delicadeza and long standing precedence of prohibition against appointments two months before the outgoing President's term expires."

Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said that he would not recognize the next Chief Justice appointed by the outgoing president, as it would be "contrary to the constitutional ban on appointments during the wee hours of her presidency, and contrary to propriety and delicadeza and long standing precedence of prohibition against appointments two months before the outgoing President's term expires."

Aquino made the statement on Thursday, during a debate on whether Arroyo should appoint the replacement of Chief Justice Reynato Puno when the latter retires on May 17.

Aquino even went as far as warning the Chief Justice who will be appointed by the outgoing president that "not only shall he not be recognized, but he risks even his presence in the Court as an associate member," PDI reported.

Aquino's remarks have riled the administration and its allies. Presidential political adviser Prospero Pichay called Aquino's statement "irresponsible and dangerous." Meanwhile, Speaker Prospero Nograles said that the refusal of the chief executive to recognize a co-equal body will result in chaos. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde advised Aquino to review the provision in the 1987 Constitution, saying that it is "ironic and sad, that the Cory constitution is being sdavaged by her own party, now led by her own son."

In defense of Aquino, Liberal Party spokesman and Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tañada III said Aquino was just stating what was in the Constitution, which prohibits the sitting president from making appointments within two months before she steps down from office.

"He was just stating the fact that the Constitution should be followed and that there should be no midnight appointments," Tañada III said in a text message to PDI.

Puno will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 for members of the judiciary on May 17. Despite the provisions of the Constitution, Malacañang insisted that it was the President's "right" to appoint the next chief justice.