MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang shot back at critics who have blamed the administration for a reported plot to impeach Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, saying they were out for "attention."

At the same time, deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez maintained that allegations linking the Palace to the impeachment effort were "ridiculous, unfounded, and politically-motivated."

"I think the motive is attention. I think the usual motive for our
critics, attention... attention for whatever intentions they have,"
Golez told a news conference at the Palace.

"That's just a product of their imagination. We have nothing to do with it," deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said.

"It's becoming a habit for them to drag the Palace in all controversy so we just like to focus on economics not politics," Fajardo said.

Talk of a brewing attempt to impeach Puno swirled over the weekend amid allegations that he did not promulgate a Supreme Court decision supposedly disqualifying Negros Oriental Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong.

The complaint would allegedly be spearheaded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's partymates in the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Partner of the Free Filipino, Kampi), whose bet, Olivia Paras, lost to Limkaichong.

Paras is the wife of former Congressman Jacinto Paras, also a Kampi member.

Former Senate president Franklin Drilon said the Palace could be behind the move to oust Puno as part of a "grand plan" to remove all roadblocks against its push for Charter change.

The Charter change issue is expected to be brought before the Supreme Court as the House of Representatives plans to convene itself into a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution, a move opposed by the Senate.