MISSING THE ACTION by: Kiko Ortelano

I will not be Missing in Action but will definitely MISS THE ACTION. I am a bit embarrassed by leaving at this time; now that the very little we have achieved for Good Governance and Responsible Citizenship is under siege. Urgent personal matters need to be attended to.

It is for this reason that I am now officially starting this column. I hope to publish this at least weekly; or more often if necessary. I may not be physically present in Pampanga, but you bloggers will definitely hear from me.

THE BEGINNING

It started immediately upon the announcement of his candidacy. Among Ed Panlilio generated so much attention when he announced his candidacy for governor of Pampanga in the May 2007 National Elections. Finally, a non-traditional politician who advocated good governance and responsible citizenship. A nobody who dared to take head-on the jueteng and quarry lords. A novice who meant to do what he campaigned for.

The 3Gs of Philippine Politics were at their worst. Guns fell down one barangay chairman who switched allegiance and support to Among Ed when the latter filed his candidacy. Goons terrorized supporters and were forced to change addresses. Golds flowed down to every nook and cranny of the province. It was estimated that the campaign amount may have gone up to more than 500,000,000 pesos for one candidate alone. But these did not stop the multitude of Kapampangans and other Filipinos from providing support to Among Ed's Candidacy.

Two weeks into the campaign, Among Ed was getting nervous! Not for security concerns, but he was garnering so much support, he might win! Security was beefed-up. He was receiving threats to his life. He was really going to win. And he did.

THE GAME PLAN

The political foes of Among Ed will not take the loss sitting down. Some key events added to their resolve to make the term of Among Ed as governor a misery.

1. First was the immediate action of Among Ed to stop corruption at the capitol. Commissions from suppliers and contractors were stopped.

2. Second was the improvement of quarry collections. This meant the revenues of quarry operations were being remitted officially to the provincial coffers and not to other people's wallets.

3. Third was the improvement of services to the poor. Provincial district hospital operations were improved, medicine and other supplies procurement were regularized, equipment were purchased and sourced, buildings were added and/or renovated. Requested construction materials to repair/renovate dillapidated school buildings were distributed. PAMISAUPAN CARAVANs that brought services to the far-flung barangays of the province were conducted every three weeks. Etc..

This showed how much was not being done by previous provincial government officials.

4. Fourth was the expose on the money hand-outs in Malacanang.

The usurper in Malacanang could not believe it! Here comes the governor of her home province who will not play along the gods of the Pasig river! Here comes a neophyte who dare go against the norms and wishes of tradpols!

Something must be done about Among Ed. And boy did they start doing some things!

THE ACTIONS AND INACTIONS

First was to mobilize everybody against the gov. The whole Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), the Mayors, and down to all the barangay officials. They got the whole SP, all the mayors except Mayor Rodriguez of the city of San Fernando, and even some key prominent former supporters of the gov.

Second was to paralyze the governor by not participating in the programs of the governor. Next is the non-apparoval of the requested budgets. Then there were the floating of half-truths and lies that are meant to discredit the gov. The mobilization and full support to sacked former BALAS employees who are generally believed to have committed anomalies while working for the BALAS. The latest is the mobilization of all local government units to ensure the sufficient number of signatories for a Recall petition against the gov.

The most recent action of the SP to provide 25 million pesos for the Recall elections makes a lot us want to puke. This shows how insensitive the SP is to the plight of the Kapampangans. They have not acted on the budget for the Educational Assistance fund for almost three thousand youths for about six months and yet they will act immediately to fund a Recall!

The Pampanga Mayors League is also part of the grand scheme. The governor, through the Provincial Develipment Council (where the mayors are automatic members), have submitted the Provincial development plan and the SP is yet to act on it! The silence of the mayors on this issue, specially the overly talkative and ourageously out of line mayor Pelayo of Candaba, is deafening. It is their constituents who will miss the benefits of about five million pesos worth of infrastracture projects per municipality and they are not doing anything about it.

MALACANANG

The embarrasment the gov has caused the president is unacceptable to the powers that be. This just shows how corrupt the national leadership is. Instead of providing full support to a governor who truly fights for righteousness in governance, they choose to prosecute him. They choose to let their local minions do the dirty job on the governor. Instead of ordering (even through silent whispers), the local leaders in Pampanga to work with the governor in the service of the Kapampangans, they let the dirty-doers call the shots.

Malacanang has repeatedly washed their hands on what is happening in Pampanga. But the people know better. GOD knows.

PAYBACK

Filipinos have short memories. During elections, these memories become shorter when the Golds, Goons, and Guns start wreaking havoc.

It is time for us to load up on our memories. Let us not forget the atrocities that the SP and the mayors have been doing to us these past sixteen months and the next twenty. Let us not forget who they have forsaken for their personal sake and for the sake of the usurper in Malacanang.

Let us not forget our Kabalens who continue our struggle for righteous governance. Let us not forget our role as responsible citizens of this glorious Kapampangan race.

LUID KA!