MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has nominated former senator Orlando Mercado as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the People?s Republic of China.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Mercado would also have a concurrent jurisdiction over the Democratic People?s Republic of Korea and Mongolia

Ermita said Arroyo also reappointed Moslemen Macarambon as commissioner of the Commission on Elections.

The new set of presidential appointees include Maria Victoria Cardona as commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights, Merly Cruz as Trade undersecretary, Roberto Tan as Treasurer of the Philippines, and Georgina Yu as chairman and administrator of Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority.