Betis folks oppose recall

By Ian Ocampo Flora

GUAGUA -- Embattled Governor Eddie Panlilio has found comfort and support from his former parishioners in St. James Parish here during an anti-recall rally held at the Betis Covered Court over the weekend.

Around 700 people participated in the rally, which started at 7 a.m. along the control dike in Barangay San Miguel here last Sunday.

The rallyists marched to the covered court in front of the Betis Parish Church to express opposition against the recall petition initiated by the Kapanalig at Kambilan Ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) against the priest-turned- governor.

The Kambilan launched its signature gathering early last month in a bid to gather 100,000 signatures to remove Panlilio from office.

But for the governor's supporters who joined the rally, the "loss of confidence" invoked by Kambilan against Panlilio is far from true.

"He (Panlilio) still has our trust and we still believe in him. The reason why we voted for him is to pursue the rule of good governance. All hardships and mistakes in his administration are still tolerable compared to other past officials in the same post," said Tess Rivera, a 40-year-old resident here.

Rivera, along with the local chapter of a senior citizens organization, said they would continue to defend Panlilio from critics and oppose any offers to sign the recall petition that has now been circulating in various barangays.

Rally organizer Banjo Serrano said Betis is the third leg of the pro-Panlilio rallies staged by different groups still loyal to Panlilio. Previously, anti-recall rallies were held in Magalang and San Luis towns.

"Betis is the place were the advocacy for good governance all started. Here is the place people held a vigil to wait for Panlilio's decision to run for governor. Now we are back where it all started and we see people still support him here," Serrano told media men.

The pro-Panlilio rallyists also signed the anti-recall petition papers. The signature drive was initiated by the Kasaup civil society group.

Kambilan president Rosve Henson has questioned the signatures being gathered by Kasaup.

"Where will they file their signatures? The recall is a constitutional exercise and we can file the signatures," Henson said.

Henson added that they will file their recall petition this mid-October after meeting "more than enough signatures."

Panlilio, who was present in the rally, told reporters he is not afraid of the recall petition against him.

"Let them file their petition. I am not afraid," Panlilio said, adding that more supporters will express their opposition to the recall.