More government appointees are expected to be announced this week amid an apparent arduous task of President Aquino to fill the thousands of vacancies in his administration.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino has already selected the head of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) but declined to reveal their names for now.

Although the President has made the decision on the two key agencies, Lacierda said he has yet to see their appointment papers in the Palace.

“Until the appointment papers have signed, I will not be able to officially announce them,” he said over government radio. “More appointments will be released this week because there are many positions that have to be filled,” he added.

He said Macra Cruz has been designated officer-in-charge at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) while Caloocan Vice Mayor Edgar Eresen is among those considered to head the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Last Friday, the President earlier said he has chosen those who will head the MWSS and the Metro Manila Development Authority. He said he prefers to announce the appointees when they take their oath of office.

With close to 5,000 vacancies in top government posts, Mr. Aquino earlier said he was having difficulty recruiting qualified people in government, including in government owned and controlled corporations and government financial institutions. He said some prospective appointees are discouraged by low salary while others were concerned about the flurry of detractors. He admitted that it was no joke in government due to the “pitfalls” in public service.

Apart from the official Cabinet lineup, only a handful of government appointees were finalized by the President in the past two weeks.