Palace can appoint replacement of Davide (5:49 p.m.)

MANILA -- Vacuum in the position of Hilario Davide Jr. could be prevented should he continue to retire from ambassadorship in the United Nations (UN) on April 1.

Presidential spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said on Wednesday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could use emergency appointment depending on the demands of the duty of Davide in the UN.

“An ambassador can be temporarily replaced through charge’ d affaires, but if there is an important matter that needs to be attended to and has to appoint replacement, the Constitution still allows the President to use emergency appointment,” Saludo explained.

“It depends on what is happening in the United Nations conference. If there is a need for full ambassador who has to represent the Philippines, that is the problem that should be addressed,” he furthered.

Davide was reportedly resigning to help in the campaign of his son who is running for governor in Cebu. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)