The post will be vacated on Dec. 31 when Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco retires from the diplomatic service.
Baja is on top of the DFA’s "short list" of possible candidates to the position submitted to the Palace search committee.
"Baja would be the best man to serve in that post because next year will be a crucial time for the Philippines as we are campaigning to get the slot for Asia in the UN Security Council," a Palace official told The STAR.
Baja, a veteran career diplomat, has the edge over other aspirants as he was the top recommendee of Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople, whose wise counsel is highly valued by the President.
Mrs. Arroyo herself is partial to Baja, whose work she had already seen up close when he escorted her in several state and official visits and other foreign trips when the DFA was still headed, in a concurrent capacity, by Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr.
The post was first offered by the Palace three months ago to former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Heherson Alvarez, who, at that time was having difficulties being confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA).
The offer was withdrawn when Alvarez got the CA nod. He was, however, replaced as DENR secretary by the President last Nov. 30.