CEBU CITY — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should let her successor appoint the country's next Chief Justice due to a constitutional ban on government appointments during the election period, according to former President Joseph Estrada.

In ihs view, Estrada said, an acting Chief Justice should be appointed among Associate Justices to replace Chief Justice Reynato Puno until a permanent one is chosen.

Puno will retire on May 17, or within the 90-day prohibitive period on new government appointments set by the Constitution.

Speaking with reporters during the wake for the late Press Secretary Cerge Remonde at the Malacañang sa Sugbu in Cebu City late Friday night, the former President said his “position is that after the May 10 election, there'll be a new President and the incumbent President after May 10 election automatically becomes only the caretaker of Government so my stand is, let the new President appoint the Chief Justice." he told reporters during the wake of the late Press Secretary.

Estrada underlined that the SC Chief Justice position could not be left vacant since the position is vital during the election year.