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Padaca's group urges Pampanga folk: Reject recall-Panlilio move
By Ding Cervantes, Philippine Star
Thursday, August 28, 2008 SAN FERNANDO,

Pampanga – Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, Ramon Magsaysay awardeefor government service, and other local officials who have formed the group KayaNatin! have called on Pampanga folk to reject the move to recall Gov. EddiePanlilio from his post.

This, as the recall initiative seems to have triggered a war of signatures.

As of noon yesterday, Panlilio's supporters who launched an onlinesignature campaign (ipetitions.com) had already garnered 1,228 digitalsignatures. Among the signatories identified themselves as Solita Collas-Monsodand Susan A. Roces.

On the other hand, Rosve Henson, president of the Kapanalig at Kambilan ningMemalen Pampanga (Kambilan) which launched the recall move last week, said hisgroup has started its signature drive in all of Pampanga's 21 towns.

While Henson could not say how many have already signed their recall petition,he said that from their original 5,000 members last week, they have issued 1,000more identification cards for new signatories.

"Each of these members has been asked to gather as many signatures as theycan, but we are doing this very carefully so that all the requirements of theCommission on Elections will be complied with," he said.

In a statement, Padaca's group said, "We believe that this attempt torecall him is politically motivated and would only serve to benefit the vestedinterests of a few politicians in Pampanga.

"The group described itself as a "movement for genuine change and ethicalleadership."

"We urge the people of Pampanga not to support the recall initiative. Weask the Kapampangans to give Gov. Panlilio a chance to fully serve his term andcontinue the reforms that he has begun," it added.

One Harvey Keh, a supporter of Panlilio, started the digital signature driveagainst the recall move on the Internet.

His e-mail is being passed on by Panlilio's supporters to solicit moresignatures not only from Pampanga but also from other parts of the country andapparently, even from Filipinos abroad.

Addressing "fellow Filipinos" in his e-mail, Keh said the recall movewas "started by people closely affiliated with Lilia Pineda, thegubernatorial candidate that Gov. Panlilio defeated and wife of alleged juetenglord Bong Pineda."

"If you will recall, just last month, Gov. Panlilio courageously filedplunder charges against Bong Pineda for his alleged involvement in juetengoperations and payoffs in Pampanga. If they succeed in doing this, we can expectthat Pampanga will once again go back to the dark ages of patronage politicsthat has led to the propagation of graft. We cannot just sit back, relax andallow a good and upright Filipino leader to fail. We cannot allow evil toultimately prevail."

"We cannot allow Gov. Eddie Panlilio to be recalled," he added,urging Filipinos to sign up in support of Panlilio at ipetitions.com/ petition/supportgovpanlil io.

"While we are aware that there are escalating problems in Pampanga such asthe continuing conflict between Gov. Panlilio and the Provincial Board, theunresolved issue on the striking Balas quarry workers and the calls for theresignation of the current provincial administrator, among others, we believethat a genuine effort to resolve them will be more beneficial to theKapampangans than a political exercise that will further polarize and divide thecommunity," Kaya Natin! said in its statement.

It further said: "We also recognize that there are members of the civilsociety, church groups, business organizations and supporters of Gov. Panliliothat have expressed disappointment with his performance during the pastyear."

"Thus, while we continue to support Gov. Panlilio's crusade to promotegood governance in his province, we also believe that he should listen to thevoices of these groups and work at immediately addressing and resolving thesegrowing concerns in order for him to become a more effective governor," itadded.

Noting that "reforms do not come easy" and "require continuingengagements between the provincial leadership and the other stakeholders in thelocality," Kaya Natin! said, "We do believe that given time, Gov.Panlilio's initiatives will ultimately result in better delivery of basicservices to his constituents. "

"We ask all Kapampangans to be patient with Gov. Panlilio because webelieve that despite the current situation, he is at the moment still the bestperson who can govern the province in an effective and ethical manner," itsaid.

It added: "Should there be a need, the members of Kaya Natin! are willingto help organize and/or facilitate a dialogue between Gov. Panlilio anddisgruntled members of the civil society, business groups, people'sorganizations and his former supporters in Pampanga.

"Apart from Padaca, the signatories to the Kaya Natin! statement included NagaCity Mayor Jesse Robredo, Ifugao Gov. Teddy Baguilat Jr., and San Isidro, NuevaEcija Mayor Sonia Lorenzo.