On 28 April Taur Matan Ruak inaugurated Santos, replacing Guilhermino da Silva who had resigned based on health reasons

Parliamentarians voted overwhelmingly on Monday to retain Ruak’s appointment; following a call to reject the nomination from the Fretilin Party on the basis it was “unconstitutional.” A comfortable majority of 46 approval votes to 6 reject.

The Fretilin Party has said it was the mandate for President-elect Francisco 'Lu-Olo' Guterres to make the appointment when he was inaugurated May 20, 2017.

Arao Noe, Parliamentarian, said it was in the President’s power to make the nomination.

Aniceto Guterres from Fretilin ‘s party said: “We are from National Parliament urged this matter but we have no any interest, we questioned this matter because the President of the Republic nominated   The President of Supreme Court not followed the Constitution of RDTL ‘s law,’’ Aniceto said.