MALACAÑANG yesterday confirmed there is a move to appoint Cristina Ponce Enrile, estranged wife of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, as ambassador to the Vatican.

But Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said he was not aware if Ambassador Leonida Vera has resigned as reported.

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, of which he is the president, received a letter from Vera informing the CBCP of her resignation. She gave no reason.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, through spokesman Claro Cristobal, said it has not received any information on the matter.

A Church source said Vera quit following an attempt by Malacañang to replace her with Ms. Ponce Enrile.

The move, said the source, allegedly stemmed from Vera’s failure to convince the Vatican to act against Filipino bishops critical of the administration of President Arroyo.

Reports said Ms. Ponce Enrile is being backed by presidential assistant on religious affairs Fatima Valdes.

Bunye said "there is a recommendation" to appoint Ms. Ponce Enrile but did not say who made the recommendation.

Lagdameo said he believes Vera’s term has expired. Vera assumed the post in March 2004.

But Henrietta de Villa, former Vatican ambassador, said there is no fixed term for presidential appointees, including diplomats and ambassadors.

"Alam ko kaming mga political appointees, we serve at the pleasure of the appointing power. Kaya kung kami ay gusto na palitan, wala kaming magagawa about that. Wala naman kaming fixed tenure," she said. – Regina Bengco, Gerard Naval and Anthony Ian Cruz