MANILA, Philippines?Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno "Noynoy?? Aquino III said Tuesday that President Macapagal Arroyo?s appointment of her most loyal military officer as head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines could be a precursor to her appointment of an avidly loyal magistrate as the next chief justice.

"We were hopeful that she would be magnanimous in her exit from power by appointing someone who is beyond reproach but she chose someone who is avidly loyal to her. We expect her to do the same in the coming vacancy for the Chief Justice position,?? Aquino said in a phone interview.

Aquino said that the appointment of Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit has sent alarm bells ringing over the military?s active role in this year?s elections considering that Ms Arroyo has not yet erased the questions over the "Hello Garci?? scandal in 2004 and the questionable 12-0 score of administration bets in Maguindanao in the 2007 senatorial elections.

"She knows that the situation required her to appoint somebody not closely identified with her to oversee the transition but she didn?t,?? said Aquino.

He expected the President to name a replacement for Chief Justice Reynato Puno who would step down by May 17 with or without a nomination from the Judicial and Bar Council. (The President has up to 90 days to fill up the vacancy).

Aquino said that the President would clearly violate the constitutional ban on midnight appointments during transition elections. He said that the next president has ample time to appoint a new chief justice or up to August 17, or one-and-half-months after assuming power.