Palace finalizing new appointments to end lobbying for posts

Malacañang is finalizing new appointments to spare President Arroyo from intense lobbying for the remaining vacant positions in government.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said yesterday the list of new appointees had been completed and that their names would be announced in a "matter of days."

"I know there are a few already signed by the President, in the next few days hopefully there may be some announcements," he said.

The standard operating procedures would have to be followed before any announcement could be made, he added.

Ermita said some lobbying could work one way or the other, making an appointment unofficial unless announced formally and accompanied by the necessary paperwork.

"As far as the appointments are concerned, the President as a matter of fact as much as possible would like to announce it immediately para nga ang mga lobbying eh tumigil na (so that lobbying would stop), but the President exercises her prerogative to choose the most competent, loyal and the best that can do the job," he said.

"Let us just wait for them. It’s just a matter of days, soon you will get it, but I am not at liberty to announce now."

Ermita said the process would involve the submission of names to Mrs. Arroyo, which she would review after the search committee has studied them.

"It (an appointment) passes my office... Actually, even those that are signed by the President, we double-check (if) they (will) be announced already," he said.

Ermita said even the appointment of Environment Secretary Mike Defensor as Mrs. Arroyo’s chief of staff has not been formalized because his official functions have yet to be defined.

Defensor will reportedly be named concurrent secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Lobbying for the post of DENR secretary has already begun, along with openings at other departments without permanent heads.

The "vacancies" occurred after the mass resignation of the so-called "Hyatt 10" Cabinet secretaries and bureau chiefs last July.

At the time, Mrs. Arroyo had immediately named the secretaries of the departments of finance, trade and industry, and budget as she cited the importance of having a new economic team. — Aurea Calica