Ambassador Davide quits post to campaign for son

CEBU, Philippines - Ambassador Hilario Davide, Jr. resigned as the Philippines permanent representative to the United Nations effective next month to support the candidacy of his son, Hilario ‘Jun-jun’ III, who is running against re-electionist Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

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

The younger Davide said his father submitted his resignation to then executive secretary Eduardo Ermita.

He said the resignation was already accepted and will take effect on April 1. Hilario III said his father is coming to start campaigning for him after the Holy Week.

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

According to him, he is thankful that his father has given up his position to support his candidacy.

 While 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 added.

He expressed disgust over a blind item which came out in another paper insinuating that a juicy position is waiting for his father.

He assured that his father will not be given a role in the provincial government, not even as consultant.

 Unlike his rival, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who hired her father before his election as second district congressman and two of her siblings as consultants, Hilario III said he will not hire any family member as his consultant.

Davide, Jr. was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as permanent ambassador to the UN in February 2007 after serving as Senior Presidential Adviser on Electoral Reform following his retirement as Supreme Court Chief Justice in 2005.—Fred P. Languido/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)