MANILA, Philippines- Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno has named senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio as acting chief justice while he is on leave, but the designation is not expected to have any major impact in decisions of the high court.  

Puno will be on sabbatical leave from March 18 to 30.

"In view of the wellness and sabbatical leave of the undersigned from March 18 to 30, 2010, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio is hereby designated as acting chief justice, with authority to exercise the powers and prerogatives of and pertaining to the position of Chief Justice on matters that cannot wait for the Chief Justice, effective March 18, 2010 until the undersigned reports back to work," Puno said.

Aside from being acting chief justice, Carpio will also be acting chairman of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal during Puno's absence.