Two government officials were transferred to new key positions amid tense arguments over President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s alleged midnight appointments in the remainder of her term.

President Arroyo has appointed Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan as the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), replacing Ambassador Hilario Davide Jr.

Davide has resigned from his position supposedly to help his son’s candidacy as governor of Cebu.

Prior to his appointment, Cabactulan, a career diplomat, served at the Office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs as Senior Special Assistant for Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation with rank of Assistant Secretary.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza also confirmed that Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain was also designated executive director at the Bureau of Immigration.

Buhain, former swimming star, is married to Batangas Rep. Eileen Ermita, daughter of former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Mendoza, speaking to reporters in the Palace, said the President’s latest appointments were all justified and legal, disputing opposition claims these violated the election ban.

He said the appointment papers were signed prior to the prohibitive period on government appointments that started last March 10. The public announcement of the appointments was made a few days later due to tedious administrative paperwork, he explained.

“We never violated the law. We are very conscious of the provision on the election ban,” the former transportation secretary said.

Mendoza likewise said all new appointees, mostly replacing those who retired or will run for public office, went through the scrutiny of the Palace search committee to ensure they are qualified for the posts.

“Our President, for the purposes of continuity, having in mind the greatest interest of our country, decided to appoint replacements,” he said.

Cabactulan, armed with an educational background on political science and economics, was previously assigned in Geneva, Brussels from 1986 to 1990 and New York City from 1995-2000 both at the Philippine Mission to the United Nations. He also served at the country’s diplomatic offices in Australia and United Arab Emirates.

Cabactulan was also assigned the Home Office as Executive Director of the Office for the United Nations and Other International Organizations (UNIO). The career diplomat also has extensive experience in negotiations, including trade agreements abroad.

Buhain was former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission before he was appointed as GAB chairman in 2005. At the peak of his swimming career, he previously won several gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games. (Genalyn Kabiling)