 Justice Puno remained as the most senior Associate Justice for the twelve months of the term of Chief Justice Panganiban.Despite some speculation that President Arroyo would again bypass Puno and appoint either Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing or Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago as Chief Justice, Puno was appointed to the post within hours from the retirement of Panganiban.Puno denied speculations that he will retire from the
position of Chief Justice before May 17, 2010.