They lost in the electoral races last year.

And so they remained largely out of  sight  over  the  last 12  months, licking their political wounds.

Now, they want a piece of the action – to be “of use” to the nation.

In short, they want jobs in the Executive department, maybe some executive positions or board seats in government-owned or controlled corporations, state financial institutions, regulatory agencies, and even public utilities.

Their claim to such positions? As card-carrying members of the Liberal Party or other political parties allied with the now ruling LP.

We pity the professional managers, career officers, and staff who would be unceremoniously dislodged by such unabashed scramble for high-paying government jobs.

This is precisely the reason why so many honest, competent, and dedicated government officials leave public service and seek greener pastures in the private sector or work overseas.  

And the elbowing is getting intense as available slots become fewer.

The shameless lobbying for juicy posts is irritating Malacañang.   

An exalted Malacañang talking head has asked allies of President Aquino who lost in the polls to give him due respect and stop jockeying for plum government posts.

“I think it would be easier if people just wait for the President to make the announcement rather than talk publicly about certain things,” Ricky Carandang, a member of the Palace communications troika, was quoted by a a major broadsheet as saying.

“We can’t tell his final decision, so it’s best if we don’t preempt him regarding prospective candidates,” Carandang said, stressing that P-Noy hates persistent lobbying.

Only former senator Manuel Roxas II,  an LP ally who lost to former Makati City mayor Jejomar Binay in the vice presidential race – is assured of a government post by no less than the President himself.

The Chief Executive had hinted that he might appoint Roxas as presidential chief of staff.

Former House members Neric Acosta confirmed he was being considered as replacement for Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, who is serving in an acting capacity. Former Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon is reportedly eyeing either the Defense or the Tourism portfolio while former Akbayan partylist Rep. Rissa Hontiveros reportedly wants a post in the National Anti-Poverty Commission. The three lost in the senatorial race last year.

Still, Carandang insisted that the President is satisfied with his current Cabinet.

“He said he’s happy with the Cabinet now. He does not foresee any changes at this point in the Cabinet, in the existing Cabinet,” he said.

Meanwhile, House allies of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo have vowed to scrutinize the track records of election losers being readied for government posts.

“The President should appoint people with unquestioned integrity so he would be consistent with his campaign against corruption. He should not appoint people who are facing charges in the Ombudsman’s office and especially in courts like the Sandiganbayan,” Minority Leader Edcel Lagman told a news conference.

Indeed, this supposedly Tuwid na Daan administration should have no room for crooks.