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.