RP loses UN post after Baja recalled

WASHINGTON – The Philippines had to relinquish the vice presidency of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a major UN forum responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress, because of the untimely recall of Ambassador Lauro L. Baja, the Philippine mission to the United Nations said.

The Philippines lost an important position in the United Nations as a result of the recall of Baja, the mission said in a press statement. It added that Filipino-Americans were "aghast" Baja was not even given a 60-day transition period to make way for retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide.

Baja was unanimously elected in his personal capacity as vice president of ECOSOC after the Philippines topped the elections for the Council held on Nov. 2, the first time that the country topped an election to a major organ of the UN, the statement said.

A UN spokesman, however, pointed out that a country not an individual was elected to a post and that whoever succeeded Baja would automatically assume the vice presidency of ECOSOC.

Last June Filipino Americans criticized President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over the untimely recall of Philippine ambassador to the United States Albert del Rosario whom they rated as one of the best Filipino ambassadors to the United States. Del Rosario was also not given the normal 60-day transition period.

There are some three million Filipino-Americans in the United States and their remittances make up about 60 percent of the more than $12 billion remitted by Filipino overseas workers last year.

Filipinos working in the United Nations have expressed concern over reports that Davide plans to engage in official activities as soon as he arrives in New York.