Ex-SC chief justice Puno to Aquino: Be as selfless as Rizal

In running his new administration, President-elect Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III should emulate the selflessness and patriotism of our national hero Jose Rizal. This was the advice that former Supreme Court (SC) Justice Reynato Puno offered Aquino during wreathe-laying ceremonies for the 149th birthday of the national martyr on Saturday at the Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila.

"These are the legacies [of Rizal] that will always be relevant to the new directions that will be taken by the incoming leadership," said Puno, who retired as chief justice last May 17, after nearly two decades of serving in the high court. Puno, the sole non-Arroyo appointee among the SC magistrates during the final days of his tenure, was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's predecessor former President Fidel Ramos. Aquino has openly rejected the appointment of Puno's successor Chief Justice Renato Corona, viewed as a staunch Arroyo ally and who had served as her chief of staff, spokesman, and acting executive secretary. After insisting on not taking his oath before Corona, Aquino will be sworn in by SC Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales on June 30 at the Quirino Grand Stand in Manila. When Puno vacated the highest seat in the judiciary, a number of sectors urged him to join the Aquino Cabinet. Aquino had even offered Puno the Justice secretary position but the latter refused. [See: 'Cory generals' urge Puno to accept DOJ post]
On Saturday's Rizal celebration, Puno reiterated his reluctance to assume a post in Aquino's Cabinet, but added he was still willing to assume advisory functions in Aquino's administration. Apart from Puno, other personalities who attended the celebration were fellow former Chief Justice Hilario Davide and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. Former Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta also showed up for the event on behalf of Rizal's grandchildren. Also attending was former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Avelino Razon, who is a member of the Knights of Rizal. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sent flowers for the event, that included a 21 gun salute for the martyr. Members of the Banal na Iglesia ng Bathalang Buhay, known as the Rizalistas, were also present in the celebration in Luneta. Over at the Quezon City hall, members of the Quezon City Chapter of the Order of Knights of Rizal also offered flowers for the fallen hero. — LBG, GMANews.TV