Chief Justice Reynato Puno would rather leave questions unanswered on the early retirement issue than face them squarely.

Puno got piqued today when asked whether he supposedly told close friends and colleagues about his intention to retire as chief justice way before his term ends in May 2010.

He abruptly cut short an ambush interview, surprising a handful of journalists and cameramen who had waited for him for hours at the graduation rites of UP-Manila at the Philippine International Convention where he was the commencement speaker.

Before the ambush interview, Puno entertained and gamely answered questions about the UP affair. His aura however changed when the topic moved to his supposed plan to bow out of office prematurely.

This reporter asked Puno about the term-sharing agreement he supposedly forged with senior associate justice Leonardo Quisumbing which abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak reported.

"There is no such thing," Puno curtly said.

Earlier, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak asked Quisumbing to comment—we sent him a letter with our questions—but we did not get any response.

‘Put an end to issue’

When asked however whether Puno told several people that he intended to retire early, his tone changed and was dismissive. "I have already issued a statement," Puno said referring to his statement issued on Thursday. "I hope that will put an end to the issue."

He then abruptly left.

We reported Thursday that the chief justice sounded off his colleagues about the possibility of early retirement. The same report quoted sources who said that one possible reason for Puno’s plan was the supposed agreement he struck with Quisumbing for a term sharing. (Click here to read "Talk of CJ Puno’s early retirement raises questions about GMA's ‘control’ of SC beyond 2010" )

Puno, whose term expires on May 17, 2010, issued a statement Thursday afternoon denying that he is quitting as head of the Supreme Court. In the statement, Puno said he would "fulfill the trust until the end of my term by continuing to discharge my duties with independence and fairness." (Click here to read "CJ Puno denies he’s quitting")

Regrets, denial

Before abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak published the story on Thursday, we wrote the chief justice requesting his side on the issue, citing reports that he was considering an early retirement.

Puno, through the Supreme Court public information office, sent his regrets. But on Thursday afternoon, the chief justice issued a statement denying he plans to quit.

Various sources interviewed by abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak said that Puno mentioned about taking an early retirement because of his frustration with the majority of the justices who tend to decide in favor of the administration on controversial cases like the issue of executive privilege.

The Supreme Court voted 9-6 to strengthen the Arroyo administration on the executive privilege. (abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak)

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