Davide elected UN council’s VP for Asia

Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Hilario Davide Jr. was elected yesterday vice president for Asia of the UN Economic and Social Council.

With his election, the Philippines retains a key seat in the world body.

The 54-member council is one of the principal organs of the UN dealing with international economic and social issues.

The former chief justice took over from Ambassador Lauro Baja Jr. who was recalled by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo last month.

"I cannot thank you enough for electing me vice president of ECOSOC. Your act is a clear demonstration of your faith in my country, the Philippines, as your partner in pursuing and achieving the solemn mandates entrusted to the ECOSOC and of your trust and confidence in me, your most junior colleague in the Council," Davide said in his remarks following his election.

"For this demonstration of faith, trust and confidence, I pledge my commitment to perform my duties and responsibilities with the best I can give in terms of talent, time and energy," he added.

The ECOSOC is the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states.

ECOSOC president Dalius Cekuolis of Lithuania said that Davide will also assume Baja’s responsibilities as chairman of the Coordination Segment of the ECOSOC which coordinates the activities of the various commissions under its jurisdiction.

The Philippines, for the first time, topped the ECOSOC elections in October last year. The last time the Philippines sat as a member of the ECOSOC was in 1992-1997. On Jan. 17, Baja was elected vice president in his capacity as Permanent Representative of the Philippines.

The Philippine Mission said Baja offered the position to Japan shortly after he received Romulo’s recall order and his assignment as special envoy for interfaith matters.

Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN, initially accepted Baja’s offer for him to take over the unexpired term of the Philippine vice presidency. But the Philippines began lobbying for Davide for ECOSOC vice presidency.

"It (Philippine Mission in New York) began lobbying. The instruction was for the Mission to assure the Asian group that we are ready with a candidate to fill up the post vacated in ECOSOC," Foreign Affairs spokesperson Claro Cristobal said.