MANILA – Malacanang said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo will remain at his post after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed retired Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court Hilario Davide as permanent Philippine ambassador to the United Nations, vice Lauro Baja.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye issued the statement following reports that Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. had been lobbying with President Arroyo to have Ambassador Baja replace Romulo.
Earlier, Romulo said he preferred to stay as foreign secretary instead of assuming the post of Philippine Ambassador to the United States, vice Ambassador Albert del Rosario.
“Those reports have no basis,” Bunye said in a press briefing. “Secretary Romulo will remain in his current position for the remainder of the term of the President."
Romulo on Sunday said he had “no interest nor desire” to take an ambassadorial assignment and that he was grateful for the President’s trust and confidence in him as Foreign Affairs Secretary.
He said Mrs. Arroyo and himself had agreed on a diplomatic agenda that will be pursued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) under his leadership “in the coming months and for the remainder” of the President’s term.
Rumors immediately surfaced that Baja will take over the DFA while Romulo will go to Washington D.C. Incumbent Philippine Ambassador to the US Albert del Rosario since last year had expressed his desire to quit as envoy.