60 lawmakers want Davide appointment to UN deferred

Sixty lawmakers asked President Arroyo yesterday to defer the sending of retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. to New York as ambassador to the United Nations.

In a resolution, the 60 members of the House of Representatives said it was illegal to appoint Davide to his new post during the election period.

"Davide’s appointment was also in apparent conflict with Resolution No. 7707 of the Commission on Elections prohibiting transfers in the foreign service corps during the election period as provided in the Omnibus Election Code," the lawmakers said.

The lawmakers urged Mrs. Arroyo to retain Lauro Baja as Permanent Representative to the United Nations so he will not lose one of the vice presidencies of the Economic and Social Council.

"The unpopular appointment of Davide came in the wake of the current achievements of current ambassador Lauro Baja, who was elected in his personal capacity as vice president for Asia-Pacific at the Economic and Social Council, and vice president of the General Assembly. Ambassador Baja has since been acting president of the General Assembly," the lawmakers said in a resolution.

"With (Baja), we will maintain our credibility and respect in the UN, and keep the possibility of a Philippine presidency of ECOSOC, when Asia’s turn comes in 2010."

It was a violation of diplomatic protocol when Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo handed over Davide’s résumé to UN Secretary General Ban Kin-Moon last month, the lawmakers said.

On Jan. 10, Romulo signed Order No. 22-07 assigning Davide to the Philippine Mission in New York as Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

On Feb. 14, Baja was recalled by Romulo, who reportedly named him Special Envoy on Interfaith Dialogue.

Among those who signed the resolution were: Representatives Herminilando Mandanas, Agapito Aquino, Remedios Petilla, Constantino Jaraula, Ace Barbers, Jaime Lopez, Uliran Joaquin, Vincent Garcia, Amelita Villarosa, Christian Señeres, Rene Velarde, Lorna Silverio, Roseller Barinaga, Reylina Nicolas, Etta Rosales, Antonio Roman, Victoria Reyes, Roquito Ablan, Salacnib Baterina and Benhur Abalos.