Chief Justice Reynato Puno has refused to heed calls for him to run for president in 2010, saying he does not have political plans.

“We should keep politics out of the judiciary,” he told reporters in an interview Friday after the oath-taking of newly appointed Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta.

But he said he would consult his “council of advisers“ – his three grandchildren, aged 7, 5 and 4.

Puno said that while he proposed a moral force that would lead to necessary changes in government, he said he would opt to remain as “one of the foot soldiers.”

He said there are qualified people outside the government who could serve as moral leaders.

“We can find these moral leaders in all cross-sections of society. I don’t want to be pretentious. I will be happy if I am just the catalyst of this movement, but perhaps it may not be appropriate to take the leadership while I am in government acting as chief justice,” Puno said. “Let us just talk about how we will be able to bring flesh and blood to this movement.”

But the Chief Justice hinted in jest that he might consider the endorsement of some senators for him to seek the presidency.

“I have to consult my advisers on how to respond to these calls, and my council of advisers is composed of my grandchildren, aged seven, five and four. They will decide this issue and they are my moral force,” he said.

Asked what can make him change his mind and seek public office in 2010, he replied: “My grandchildren.”

Puno said he could only appreciate the support being shown to him by some sectors – especially at a time when the judiciary is hounded by allegations of inaction on a disqualification case against Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong over her questionable citizenship.

Support from various sectors poured in when Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez revealed the existence of a brewing plot to impeach the Chief Justice because of the case.

Limkaichong defeated in the 2007 elections Olivia Paras, wife of former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras who is a member of President Arroyo’s political party Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

Paras has denied any involvement in ouster plots against Puno. So far, no impeachment complaint against the Chief Justice has been filed in the House of Representatives.

“I’m very thankful for this massive show of support. I take this not as personal support but as support for the entire judiciary,” he stressed.

He said he took the support as affirmation of the people’s trust and confidence in the judiciary.

“The judiciary has only one capital, and that is the moral capital – the trust and confidence of the people,” he explained.

Puno said all he cares about now is “for this moral force to be more manifest, to be more visible, to be more active in playing its role as the moral ballast against misfeasance and malfeasance in both the public and private sector.”

He said he is happy that moves have been taken to get interfaith leaders to form a broad coalition for this cause.

Puno was reacting to Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s statement that he will be willing to defer his bid for the presidency if the former decides to go for the top post of the land.

But Lacson clarified that he is not urging Puno to run for president, maintaining, however, that he will be willing to defer his bid “if and when” the Chief Justice decides to seek the presidency in 2010.

Unwavering support

Meanwhile, justices of the Court of Appeals yesterday added their voice to mounting support for Puno.

“We regard all the talk of impeachment of the honorable Chief Justice to be mindless and unwarranted and serves only to unduly tarnish the image of the Philippine judiciary,” stated the two-page resolution that was signed by Associate Justices Portia Alino-Hormachuelos, Martin Villarama Jr., Andres Reyes Jr., Remedios Salazar-Fernando and Presiding Justice Conrado Vazquez Jr.

“Even though every citizen has the right to question the acts of public servants, this right must be accompanied by the noble intention of exposing wrongdoing,” the CA justices appealed.

They said Puno is a leader devoted to duty, integrity, decency, and someone who is always trying to institute meaningful reforms in the judiciary.

“It is our fervent hope that the judiciary and its members, particularly the honorable Chief Justice, be shielded from politics to allow them to discharge their bounden duty to dispense justice without fear or favor,” the resolution read.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), for its part, has branded as a “travesty of the legal process” alleged moves to impeach the chief magistrate.

The group said impeaching Puno for blocking a July 2008 draft ruling upholding the disqualification of Limkaichong was legally flimsy and is most likely politically motivated.

“The supposed non-promulgation may just be the slimmest of openings needed by those who see the tribunal as a hindrance to future political plans – extending term limits, general tinkering with the Constitution, to name a few,” the IBP said in a paid advertisement.

The IBP said Puno is known for his integrity and probity, adding that the Supreme Court under his leadership has displayed consistent vigilance, refreshing activism and tough independence.

It urged detractors to spare the Chief Justice from unneeded political intrigue and controversy.

The IBP said talks of impeachment against the Chief Justice are not a trifling matter and could be used as an intimidating political tool.