EDITORIAL - Get back to work

Reports said work was on hold in several offices at the Department of Transportation and Communications amid speculation that Secretary Leandro Mendoza would be replacing Jose Lina as head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. At the Metro Manila Development Authority, employees had prepared for many weeks for the departure of Chairman Bayani Fernando, who had announced he was running for vice president. Similar work disruptions have been seen in other government agencies whose heads were expected to run in the May elections.

With the deadline for the filing of candidacies over, work should return to normal as quickly as possible. President Arroyo has appointed replacements for those who quit to seek elective posts: Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong, Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas and National Security Adviser Roilo Golez. Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon still has no replacement. Lina did not resign after all, so Mendoza has to stay put in the DOTC. Fernando is also staying on, and so is Heherson Alvarez as adviser for overseas workers. Angelo Reyes dropped out of the race weeks ago and has concentrated on his job of fighting kidnappers.

Alvarez and Fernando are grousing about being junked from the administration slate. Whether or not staying on was their personal choice, however, all the concerned officials must bring their full concentration back to their jobs. There’s too much work to be done especially after the holidays. There are investors and tourists to lure to the country amid the threats of SARS, terrorism and kidnapping. There is a justice system that needs to be streamlined.

In Metro Manila alone there is traffic to untangle, garbage to collect, footbridges and other public works to finish. Someone will have to stop the flood of beggars in the streets of the nation’s premier region. Charity is fine, but mendicancy cannot be encouraged as a national policy.

Candidate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be busy with her campaign. All the more should she press her officials to do their job, and do it well. The President is selling her experience and performance in office to voters. That performance is reflected in the performance of her official family. The sooner these officials’ distraction with politics is over, the better for their candidate.