SENATORS yesterday denounced an attempt to impeach Chief Justice Reynato Puno for allegedly blocking the promulgation of the resolution, signed by l4 associate justices, of a disqualification case against a Negros Oriental congresswoman.

The lawmaker, Rep. Jocelyn Sy-Limkaichong, has denounced her opponents for using her case filed in the Supreme Court in their ouster bid against Puno, seeking to disqualify her from office because she is not a natural-born Filipino.

?The reported impeachment to be filed against Chief Justice Puno is clearly politically motivated and it is rather unfortunate that my losing opponent has to use my case to drag Puno down,? Limkaichong said in an interview.

Limkaichong is embroiled in a bitter legal battle over the disqualification case filed against her with the high tribunal by her rivals, including Olivia Paras, the wife of former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras, who finished second to Limkaichong in the May 2007 polls.

?It is very clear that they [political opponents] don?t have any basis for that as the case is still being deliberated by the SC justices sitting en banc,? Limkaichong added.

Senator Francis Escudero, chairman of the committee on justice and human rights, said the move seems to be a deliberate attack against the justice system and not just on Chief Justice Puno.

?Who is behind this and who stands to benefit from this? I hope this is not part of a sinister plot to discredit, pressure and influence the Supreme Court in anyway,? Escudero said.

Senator Mar Roxas branded the ouster threat against the chief justice as politically motivated.

Roxas, Liberal Party president, said the impeachment move could be part of an administration plot to wrest control of the high tribunal which will decide on the constitutionality of the procedures for amending the Constitution that are being pushed by legislative allies of Malaca?ang.

The same insinuation was raised by former Senate President Franklin Drilon, LP chairman, who said ?the reported plot to oust Chief Justice Puno was part of an administration campaign to amend the l987 Constitution.?

Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez confirmed they have heard of the supposed moves to oust Puno but were unaware where it came from.

He said that Puno and the magistrates of the high court ?as dispensers of justice should be shielded, if not totally, excluded from political maneuverings.? Fel V. Maragay, Roy Pelovello, Rey E. Requejo