Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to ask UN to
reject illegal appointment of Davide

Opposition stalwart Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada yesterday disclosed that he will send a letter to the United Nations in New York asking that the world body to reject the illegal appointment of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide as the Philippines Permanent Representative to the UN, who has not yet been confirmed by the Commission of Appointments (CA).

Estrada, a CA member, said the oath-taking of Davide which was done by Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the sidelines of the 12th Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cebu last Sunday, disregarded Congress and the rule of law.

The UN cannot accept an illegitimate ambassador that was not yet been confirmed by the Philippine Congress, Estrada said. The Commission on Appointments bypassed Davides appointment when the former Chief Justice first appeared before the commission last December.

Davide was intensely grilled by Estrada who asked him to explain his role in swearing of Mrs. Arroyo into the presidency in January 2001 following the ouster of President Joseph Estrada.

The eldest son of former President Estrada and Sen. Luisa Loi Ejercito Estrada said the countrys reputation in the international community will be put in question because of the illegal assumption of the UN post by Davide.

Mrs. Arroyo had again committed a diplomatic blunder by insisting that Davide assume his post in New York even without the require CA confirmation, the young Estrada said, adding:

An ambassador cannot assume any diplomatic post without going through the legal process, and Davide who is a former Chief Justice should know what is legal and what is not.