MANILA, Philippines?President Benigno Aquino on Friday agreed there was a need for him to speedily fill up more than 4,000 government posts still vacant three months after he took office, and a top businessman warned leaving those posts open could give an impression of a government with no sense of urgency.

With only a week to go before a new ban on appointments kicks in due to the barangay elections on Oct. 25, Mr. Aquino admitted he still has 4,300 posts to fill in his administration.

?There is really an urgency to fill up all of the positions. There?s actually a ban starting Sept. 25, if I?m not mistaken, due to the barangay elections,? the President told business leaders at the Economic Managers Briefing and Dialog in Malacañang.

?So there is an urgency to meet and fill up 4,300 positions,? he added.

One of Mr. Aquino?s chief supporters during the election campaign, Makati Business Club chair Ramon del Rosario Jr., underscored the necessity for the vacancies to be filled up.

State of uncertainty

In his remarks, Del Rosario said: ?While we generally have great admiration for the choices you have made for your Cabinet, Mr. President, we do note that after almost three months, many key positions remain unfilled.?

He said these included posts in government financial institutions and government-owned and -controlled corporations.

Del Rosario added: ?And our embassies throughout the world are in a state of uncertainty.?

All hands on deck

Underlining the need for presidential action, Del Rosario said: ?Ideally, all hands should be on deck as early as possible as all available resources should be harnessed and mobilized in pursuit of the administration?s goals.

?Leaving these key posts unfilled over a long period may also convey the impression of a lack of a sense of urgency, when in fact so many issues and problems are crying for immediate attention.?

A Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution approved in August prohibits certain acts one month before Election Day.

The ban covers appointments, promotions, creation of new positions, or salary increases in government offices and agencies.

Offers refused

Mr. Aquino joked that some business leaders had been offered positions in government but they declined the offers.

?I think some of you? have been asked to join the government and, for various reasons, have refused to do so,? he said.

He said it was difficult to offer posts in government, where a private citizen can only earn a fraction of what he or she earns in the private sector while having to endure the stresses of being scrutinized by the media and the public.

Thankless job

?Now, look at that. If you are an HR (human resources) manager and you are tasked to look for all of these talents, you?ll ask them: Are you ready to come and help serve the people?? the President said.

?You will be given a pittance [for a salary], you will be criticized before you accept the position, you will be criticized once in the position and after giving (up) that particular position.?

?And, at the end of the day, perhaps it will be only the President [who will] thank you,? Mr. Aquino said.

Mistake averted

The President said he wanted ?people who are competent, trustworthy to do the job, but at the same time, we have to be wary of people who self-promote.?

He said that ?we almost made a mistake at appointing somebody to a key law enforcement position.?

He added: ?To be honest with you, I?m fortunate to have a rethink of this particular individual.?

Mr. Aquino did not identify the individual.

In his remarks, Del Rosario also raised the need for the government to articulate its economic vision for the next six years, for clearer policies in important industry sectors, like power and mining, sustained efforts against smugglers and tax evaders, and a disaster preparedness program. With a report from Inquirer Research