Midnight appointees told: File courtesy resignations

MANILA, Philippines - To avoid further embarrassment, the midnight appointees of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should file their courtesy resignations to President Aquino, who has issued a stern warning against their continued presence in government.

“We would appreciate it if the midnight appointees would tender their resignations to give the Aquino administration a free hand to appoint people who share the same values and mission as the President,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told The STAR.

During his inaugural speech, Mr. Aquino said his first order of business is to make an inventory of midnight appointees, who he believes should have left government as soon as their appointing authority stepped down, adding that their appointments are questionable.

The President vowed to scrutinize the midnight appointments to bring back the public’s trust in government.

But the President clarified that he does not mean that the 1.1 million state workers are involved in shady deals. Rather, he said, a majority of them have always been true to their mandate, but that the bad eggs are highlighted more often than not.

‘Shame campaign’

President Aquino should disclose the names of all midnight appointees of now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, and subject them to a “shame campaign” should they refuse to relinquish their posts.

This was the proposal of former Nueva Ecija congressman Edno Joson, an independent lawmaker who decided not to seek re-election even if he still has two terms, out of frustration with the political situation in the country.

Joson, who served as National Food Authority administrator during the time of deposed President Estrada, also suggested that putting their names on a public billboard, for everyone to see, would probably yield positive results.

The broadcast media, both radio and television, could also play a vital role in this sense, especially since these stations have the farthest reach, in terms of sending the message across the archipelago, he said.

There are reportedly 259 midnight appointments, and still counting, mostly coming from government-owned and controlled corporations, or government financing institutions, the so-called milking cow of every administration.

Initially, Arroyo reportedly designated her appointees in an acting capacity to make them beholden to her, but as soon as the prohibition on appointments drew near, she gave them fixed terms of up to six years, so that her successor can no longer remove them.

Aquino earlier warned that as Chief Executive, he has the power to hire and fire people in government, including those whose appointments are questionable, as they fall under the constitutional prohibition.

Up to Malacañang

Meantime, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo is leaving to Malacañang the decision whether to retain or not the five undersecretaries of the DFA after he submitted their names to the Palace.

Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio, Undersecretary for Administration Franklin Ebdalin, Undersecretary for Special Concerns and Ocean Concerns Rafael Seguis, who was also Peace Panel chairman, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. and Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Edsel Custodio are all political appointees and thus co-terminus with former President Arroyo. All ceased to hold office on June 30.

They have not reported for work since July 1.

DFA sources said Romulo, who was reappointed by Aquino, made a recommendation but only some of the undersecretaries will be retained.