Former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. has been appointed the country's representative to the United Nations, ANC reported Tuesday.
Davide replaces Ambassador Lauro Baja.
ABS-CBN News learned that Davide's appointment paper is one of the documents submitted by Malacañan to the Commission on Appointments.
The documents were dated March 24 but were received by the CA Monday, April 10.
ABS-CBN News sources said Baja would replace Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo who would soon be named ambassador to Washington.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel said while Davide's appointment was a "good move" for the President, it might not necessarily be so for the former justice chief who had already occupied the lofty post at the Supreme Court.
Davide's appointment came days after he gave several recommendations on poll reforms in his capacity as senior adviser on electoral reform.
The recommendations include a fixed term for congressmen and local officials, a ban on political dynasties and a major revamp at the Commission on Elections.
President Arroyo lauded Davide's recommendations, saying the government will look into them.
"These recommendations will be closely and seriously considered in the light of the common desire to cure the ills of our electoral process, preclude the resurgence of political turmoil, and drive the air of poisoned politics out of the degenerated system," Mrs. Arroyo said in a statement.