Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo on Friday confirmed the resignation of country’s permanent representative to the United Nations Hilario Davide Jr., which Malacañang said, will unlikely be rejected by President Arroyo.

In an ambush interview shortly before a briefing at the Malacañang Palace on President’s visits to Hanoi and Washington for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit and Nuclear Security Summit next month, he made the confirmation that Davide has formally submitted his resignation to the President that will take effect on April 1.

Asked who will replace Davide, he said: “I will ask the President.” He even did not confirm if the President accepted Davide’s resignation.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas said she sees that the President will accept Davide’s resignation since his reason to resign is because he has to campaign for his son, Hilario III, who is running against re-electionist Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is “valid and understandable.” (Charissa M. Luci)