EDITORIAL - Clear delineation

They are clean and over the years they have shown themselves to be competent in their chosen fields. So why are some of President Aquino’s officials making it look like the new administration is stuck in amateur hour? One of the reasons has to be the lack of a clear delineation of functions. In the case of the Malacañang communications group, there isn’t even a clear delineation of budget allocations under the novel setup.

Over at the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the confusion is just as bad. DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who was an exemplary city mayor, is fumbling on the national stage, and it’s not entirely his fault. The President has cited differences in working style and “core philosophy” with Robredo and has not nominated the DILG chief to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation.

There is nothing wrong with presidents appointing officials in an acting capacity, or creating two-headed creatures in an office where speaking with one voice is crucial – as long as the novel arrangements mean better delivery of services. Instead the public is seeing the opposite.

The communications group is mis-communicating, often making it look like Malacañang is suffering from a serious case of foot-in-mouth disease. At the DILG, the public is told that Robredo has no supervision over the Philippine National Police – which is contrary to law – in the determination of accountability in the hostage crisis, but he exercises that supervision in other aspects affecting the PNP. Last week about 10 changes of command in the PNP had to be suspended after Robredo issued an order declaring that reshuffles in the police needed his approval. Didn’t the President say it was DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno who had supervision over the police, while Robredo was supposed to focus on local governments?

Members of the President’s official family must enjoy his full trust and confidence. But apart from the President’s support, they need the proper conditions to do their work effectively. This is not possible, even for those with proven competence and integrity, when roles overlap and division of labor is blurred.