UPDATE: Ellen Tordesillas has already commented na pala on a possible Davide UN appointment back in Jan. 27, 2006 pa pala. Nagkatotoo ang sinabi niya. ASTEEG!
A DFA source said months before his retirement last December, Davide had been lobbying to be appointed permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, a position currently being held by Ambassador Lauro Baja, a retired foreign service career officer.
Although acknowledged in the DFA as a UN expert, Baja is included in the list of overstaying ambassadors in the DFA. Under the Foreign Service Law, the age cap for ambassadors is 65. There’s a school of thought that political appointees are not covered by age limit but there are others who say nobody is exempted from the law.
Foreign Affairs officials say it would add insult to injury if Davide replaces Baja because the latter is 69 years old while the former is past 70 . “You replace an oldie by an older oldie!,” they say.
If Davide gets the UN post, he would not be the first retired Supreme Court justice to be sent to the UN. Claudio Teehankee was Philippine UN permanent representative for a year in 1988.
We are not surprised by Davide’s lobbying for an appointment. He is not above that as many of his admirers may find it hard to believe. Former President Estrada revealed that businessman Lucio Tan lobbied for Davide’s appointment as Supreme Court chief justice. He said he was invited by Tan to a dinner in Sheraton Hotel where Davide was waiting.
Admirers of Davide among civil society members, who are strong on ethics among public servants, were silent on the impropriety of Davide asking the help of Tan who has pending cases before the Supreme Court.
Davide never said he wasn’t interested in another government position after his retirement. What he told reporters was, “I will defer an answer because I have not yet retired.”
He also said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family, particularly his wife, Gigi, and their 11 grandchildren. “Gigi, I’ll be back to you,” Davide said. Well, we are sure they will have a grand time in New York.
But Davide also said he was planning to become a farmer “to participate in the act of creation.”
That, he may not be able to do in New York. DFA people are not taking him seriously. “We know he lobbied for the UN job. It is being made to appear that it was offered to him. There’s a bit of hypocrisy there,” one source said.
REad the article, then keep scrolling down to read the feedback.
More: Read the interesting comments section of the UNIFFORS blog (run by Pinoy Foreign officer) too for additional reactions to the rumors of Davide's appointment back in January 2006.
OFF TOPIC: interesting rin yung timing nito.
UPDATE: Here are some of the comments from the UNIFFORS blog:
Erning Inis said,
on January 27th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
If Davide gets the UN slot, it will mean that he is being paid for having co-authored the famous “constructive resignation” ruling on Erap in 2001.
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uniffors said,
on January 27th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Brownman says,
Sayang si Davide. He had a good reputation…until he started believing in dwarfs
Rudy said,
on January 27th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
You replace a 69-year old with a 70-year old. The DFA is indeed becoming a refuge for what has been described in a previous post as “a geriatric elite.” Small wonder that our foreign policy is also getting a bit old and tired.
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Raging Bull said,
on January 27th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
Davide should bring his son to New York and empoly him as a confidential secretary or something at our Mission there - that is if
he gets the juicy post.
("the son's name is Joseph Bryan Hilary Davide, kasangkot siya sa JDF scandal ni Hilarious Davide." - John Marzan)
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domingoarong said,
on January 28th, 2006 at 11:28 am
–”A DFA source said months before his retirement last December, Davide had been lobbying to be appointed permanent representative to the United Nations in New York..”–Malaya column
Who is this “DFA source”?
Why does this “DFA source” hide?
Is the “DFA source” afraid that davide might “Kuratong” him?
The “DFA source” should not be afraid of Davide.
The Cebuano name “Davide” is not synonymous with that of the Tagalog name “Lacson.”
Unmask this irresponsible “DFA source.”
Freedom of speech is the freedom to destroy the reputation of others–of Cebuanos in particular.
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uniffors said,
on January 29th, 2006 at 2:36 am
Davide should retire. May room for younger people people.
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domingoarong said,
on January 30th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Rudy, it is obvious that this “DFA source” does not exist.
It exists only in the minds of the demolition team of cowards.
Warning: If you are a “friend” of Arroyo, then, you are the enemy of Arroyo oppositionists.
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xenon said,
on February 6th, 2006 at 3:03 pm
Give Davide the job in New York. Have you no pity on the man?
He departed from his job in the Supreme Court without any shred of dignity or integrity left on him. Definitely not something to cap his career with. How would he explain himself to his grandchildren?
A stint in New York might help him regain something. Or, at least, do something memorable. Khruschev banged his shoe like a gavel. Castro made intolerably long-winded speeches. Maybe he can render an en banc position by himself and declare Bush Jr. as the legitimate president of the Philippines.
Interesting comments, y'all.
UPDATE: From former Ambassador Hermie Cruz:
“If it is true that former SC Chief Justice Davide is lobbying to get appointed ambassador to the UN, that will confirm that our foreign service should be labeled Payatas II or Smokey Mountain II. It has become a garbage dump where people without delicadeza and a sense of history can find themselves at home.
“The conspiracy theorists will have a field day affirming that the ‘constructive resignation’ of Erap was the product of a sinister deal between GMA and Davide. And GMA, as most of our citizens now know, is a master in making such deals. Moreover, Davide and the public should know he is disqualified under RA 7157, the Foreign Service Act, from getting appointed as ambassador since he is over 70 years of age.
The records of the Senate deliberations (Vol. I, No. 19, p. 607), will confirm this: ‘Sen. Maceda: So as not to get into a lot of debate, could we just limit political ambassadors to a 70 maximum (age) limit?
“’Senate President: That would mean that persons like Ambassador Teehankee who retired at 70 from the Supreme Court cannot be appointed as ambassador to the UN?
“’Sen. Maceda: Exactly, Mr. President. During his confirmation, I told him privately, had it not been for our long relationship under the Opposition years, I would have objected to your appointment. I told him that. May he rest in peace.’
“Let us hope that Davide has a sense of shame and a sense of history not to aspire for an ambassadorial post. If he does otherwise, let us hope there is a general public outrage over this blatant use of ambassadorial positions as a payback for what clearly is a fabricated doctrine to oust a duly elected President of the Republic.” – Hermie C. Cruz, Ambassador (ret.)
More comments from Amb. Cruz and others:# Amb. H.C. Cruz Says:
January 28th, 2006 at 8:38 am
If Davide gets the UN post he will collect a big payoff.
He will get at least about $30,000 per month, representing
$20,000 free housing ( rental of Consul General Cecile
Rebong in New York ), plus at least $10,000 a month in
salary and allowances. That translates to $30 K per month or $360,000 per year. If GMA stays on until 2010 that means four years in New York for Davide. The total amount he will collect will be almost $1.5 million or Php 75,000,000 way beyond the plunder limit of Php 50 million.
The problem when you look at these figures is how many of our nationals will not conclude that GMA and Davide did not
concoct the “constructive resignation” doctrine to oust
Erap? The credibility of the GMA administration is so low
that people will not give it the benefit of the doubt.
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# Urgie F. from NYC Says:
January 28th, 2006 at 10:09 am
Malakas talaga ang apog ni Hilarious Davide. Imagined he asked Lucio Tan to convince Erap to appoimt him as Supreme Court chief justice. In return he betrayed him. I believe there was a conspiracy between Davide and Gloria Arroyo in ousting Erap.
I have a friend herein New York City who e is from Mandaue City, Cebu. He said Davide is an oppurtunist. Can we expect fairness and just decision from the Supreme Court. I doubt it because majority of justices are tainted and tuta of Gloria.
As long Gloria Arroyo is in Malacanang, lying, cheating and thieving will rule in her administration.
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# domingo arong Says:
January 28th, 2006 at 11:40 am
Who is this “DFA source”?
Unmask this “DFA source” so that Davide can be given the opportunity to confront the allegations.
Freedom of speech is the freedom to destroy the reputation of others–in this case, a CEBUANO.
The “DFA source,” I’m sure, is a TAGALOG.
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# Ellen Says:
January 28th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
We protect our sources.That’s basic in journalism. If it’s not true, all Davide has to do is categorically deny that he is interested to be appointed to the UN job.
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# Amb. H.C. Cruz Says:
January 28th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Ellen,
You made a good point. A lot of the problems of our country
will be solved outright if only some officials display self
restraint and a sense of patriotism. Our present crisis will end abruptly if only GMA will resign. The majority of
our citizens have repeatedly shown that they want her out.
It is the same with Davide. He can come out with a statement that he is not aspiring for the UN job and will not accept it under any circumstances. Had GMA turned out to be a good president, Davide’s doctrine of “constructive resignation” to get rid of Erap would have been hailed as
a milestone in jurisprudence.
However, GMA turned out to be a lemon president. Thus
Davide’s “constructive resignation” will forever be associated with failure. A lot of our countrymen now I am
sure are blaming Davide for the GMA fiasco. In their eyes
he should not be rewarded with a choice assignment like the
UN job. And if Davide, nonetheless, takes the UN job, this will lead to the inevitable conclusion that GMA is a master dealer who dealt two crooked hands to gain the presidency. EDSA II was the product of a GMA-Davide deal and Election 2004 was the product of a GMA-Carci deal.
Go to ellen's site to read the rest of the comments.
UPDATE: The guy had some ethical and corruption problems with the JDF funds (articles here ,here and here).
UPDATE: Ellen Tordesillas comments on the davide appointment: Iba na ang may pinagsamahan
Sinumite na ng Malacañang sa Commission on Appointments ang nominasyon ni Davide bilang ambassador to the United Nations, kapalit ni Amb. Lauro Baja, balae ng yumaong si Sen. Robert Barbers.
(Sa kanyang kumpirmasyon, tatanungin kaya siya nina Sen. Loi Estrada at Jinggoy Estrada tungkol sa paglabag niya sa Constitution na pinasumpa niya si Arroyo na presidente kahit walang bakante sa Malacañang?)
Sinulat ko ito noong Enero sa Malaya dahil balita nga sa Department of Foreign Affairs na hiningi ni Davide itong posisyon bago pa siya mag-retire. Inis ang mga taga DFA dahil lampas na sa retirement age si Davide na dapat hindi pinapayagan sa ilalim ng Foreign Service Act.
Bago pa siya mag-retire, sinigurado na ni Arroyo kay Davide na kanya ang posisyon ng U.N. ambassador sa New York. Kaya lang bago, siya ipadala sa New York, hiningi muna ni Arroyo kay Davide na tulungan siyang takpan ang baho ng kanyang pandaraya noong 2004 eleksyon. Kaya ginawa siyang senior adviser for electoral reforms. Isa naman sa pagkukunyari ni Arroyo na hangad niya ang malinis na eleksyon.
Paano naman magkaroon ng reporma na nandyan naka-upo sa Malacañang ang number one na mandaraya. Nakalagay ba yan sa rekomendasyon ni Davide? Siyempre, wala.
Sa pagtanggap ni Davide ng posisyon kay Arroyo, kung ano man ang natirang kredibilidad ng Supreme Court nawala na. Kaya huwag na tayong umasa na makakuha tayo ng hustisya sa Supreme Court sa mga paglabag ni Arroyo ng Constitution katulad ng Calibrated Responsive Response na sumisikil sa ating karapatan magtipon-tipon, ang E.O. 464 na humaharang sa paglabas ng katotohanan sa mga imbestigasyon ng Senado, ang Proclamation 1017 na dagok sa ating demokrasya, at itong People’s Initiative ni Gloria Arroyo para siya manatili sa kapangyarihan habambuhay.
And this is a zinger:
Ang laking ipokrito itong si Davide. Kahit na nilalakad niya ang kanyang appointment sa U.N. noon, sinabi niya sa media na ang plano raw niya kapag mag-retire na siya ay mag-farming.
Sabi ni retired Ambssador Hermie Cruz, ang sweldo raw ni Davide sa U.N. ay $30,000 (dolyar yan, ha) sa isang buwan. Kasama na raw diyan ang $20,000 sa housing at $10,000 na kanyang sweldo at allowance. Kaya mga $360,000 sa isang taon. I-multiply mo sa P51. Tumataginting na P18,360,000. Eighteen million, 360 thousand pesos.
Ang swerte namang farmer ito.
Heheheh... nice, Ellen.
Posts
4 comments:
"Nice, Ellen"?
Have you ever heard of "give the person the benefit of the doubt"?
Every Filipino seems to forget that they give a person such as Erap the benefit of the doubt and still he proved to be a vile and corrupt man unworthy of is position as President. Pero tiniis ng mga tao. Ngayon naman sa pagkaka-appoint ni Davide bilang UN Ambassador, you all start acting so self-righteous and pin him as no better than Erap? Binigyan ninyo nga ba siya ng benefit of the doubt gaya ng ginawa ng maraming Pilipino para kay Erap? I doubt in Ellen Tordesillas' eyesight because for her to post such a narrow-minded entry, she must be more myopic than Erap himself. I, myself, have tried giving people like your Cory Aquino, your Susan Roces, your Teofisto Guingona, and your bishops the benefit of the doubt. Sadly, their actions do not speak of their real desire to help the Filipino nation but more to spurn this country and drag it down into hell for their own conveniences. I have seen one too many rallies, one too many tv appearances by these ass-hats who love changing sides as often as Imelda Marcos would change her shoes. At least Davide rigtfully earned the respect that people from the UN are showing him. That people from such agencies as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank show him until this day. It's so sad to see that the crab mentality of the Filipino is prevalent even among the most educated like you and Miss Ellen Tordesillas. It's people like you who post such hifalutin bullshit on the Internet that make me sorry I was born a Filipino. It's people like Davide, on the other hand, who still give me a ray of hope for people such as yourselves to actually open your eyes and start REAL LEARNING. Don't dare preach about Filipinos uniting if you can't even stop bringing down one of the few people who has made many of your countrymen proud. Kayo ang mga hipokrito dahil hindi ninyo kayang lunukin ang katotohanan na mas ginagalang pa ng marami ang mga katulad ni Davide kaysa kay Cory Aquino na isang ulyanin at may anak na palengkera na hindi niya kayang i-disiplina. Cory has failed where Davide has not. And so have you.
And to reiterate, you disappoint me and you make me sick. One day, makikita ko ang mga mukha ninyo and I will have no greater pleasure than to laugh in your faces for being among the most pretentious people in the Philippines.
You keep citing a DFA source on Davide's appointment, but where is your UN source on why Baja is being replaced? Have you actually asked the question "What has Baja done for the UN?"
This shows how one-sided you are and how you refuse to examine Davide's track record. Why? Because you just can't stomach the fact that he actually IS a good man and it shines through. Unlike Erap who slurs over his speeches like a drunken fool - because he IS a drunken fool to begin with.
And you still dig up old issues. This clearly shows how faulty your reasoning is and how desperate you are to find fault in Davide. I believe that he still has the capability to work. I believe he still has the energy to do the country proud. And HE SHOULD. Kung ako nga yung binigyan ng ganung trabaho, tatanggihan ko ba kung alam ko na marami pa rin akong maitutulong para sa bansa? You know nothing of love for this country. You don't feel anything for this country, in fact. You're just out to destroy it and exploit it through your so-called "political know-how".
Marami pa akong gustong sabihin and by God, I WILL keep being vocal about this! Matagal na akong nanahimik tungkol sa mga paninira ninyo kay Davide ever since Dean Jorge Bocobo posted about the impeachment move against Davide and I swore him down in my blog, but you are insisting on adding fuel to the fire.
Pasalamat kayo na mabait si Davide. Kasi if it were me being slandered by paramecium such as yourselves, matagal ko na kayong pinapatay. Unlike Davide, I don't believe in God. I believe in vengeance and believe me, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to impale you by your open mouth with a sword and pin you on a high wall where everyone can see you. And then I'll do the same thing to your Ellen Tordesillas and your Dean Jorge Bocobo and to everyone else who has been slandering Davide.
to bitch goddess here
Qualified or not, Davide as a lawyer and as a former chief justice should uphold the law. Kakahiya siya if he violates the law, right?
Also, ethically, Davide shouldnt accept the post as it would certainly seem like a quid pro quo, ie, he helped GMA come into power because he knew he was going to retire and he wanted/needed a post (not just for himself but also for his family members who do not have careers to go back to when he retired).
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