Davide resigns from UN post

CEBU , Philippines  – Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. has resigned as ambassador to the United Nations effective next month to campaign for his son, Hilario III, who is running against re-electionist Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Hilario III confirmed his father’s resignation during a round- table discussion with The FREEMAN editors and senior reporters the other day.

He said his father had submitted his resignation to then executive secretary Eduardo Ermita.

The resignation had been accepted and will take effect on April 1, he added. Hilario III said his father will start campaigning for him after the Holy Week.

“He is coming home to campaign after Easter Sunday,” he said.

Hilario III said his father could have just taken a leave of absence for the election period, but out of delicadeza, he opted to resign.

“This is a father’s way of supporting his son,” he said.

Hilario III said that his father would not be given a role in the provincial government, not even as consultant, if he is elected.

He will not hire any family member as his consultant, he added.

President Arroyo named Hilario Jr. as ambassador to the UN in February 2007 after serving as senior presidential adviser on electoral reform following his retirement as Chief Justice in 2005. - Fred Languido