STATEMENT FROM BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN-GITNANG LUSON

STOP POLITICAL BICKERING !
SERVE THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE !


We of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Gitnang Luson (BAYAN-GL) are deeply concerned with what is now happening in the political arena of Pampanga.

We wish to remind our leaders and their adherents that their political bickering has been going on for too long already at the expense of the people whose interest and welfare are being unjustly made hostage to their continuing disunity.

As early as July this year, we have already sounded our call for them to end their word war, enjoining them to instead work hand in hand to ease the economic sufferings of their constituents in light of the deepening economic crisis. Considering that due to their prolonged squabbling, the entire provincial government has been unable to provide the most basic needs of their constituents majority of whom are poor, we reiterate that call with the same utmost urgency, here and now!

At the same time, we share our insight on the ongoing dispute to put things in their proper perspective.

It appears that the main reason for the squabble is that Gov. Ed Panlilio wanted to institutionalize in the provincial capitol his platform for good governance, transparency and responsible citizenship. This is the same campaign slogan that Panlilio and other well-meaning Kapampangans collectively hammered out to constitute as their own program of government in the May 2007 gubernatorial election.

Unfortunately, Panlilio's move was met with vehement objection coming from the entire Provincial Board and the Pampanga Mayors' League. But of course, they cannot frontally attack it, lest their leanings be exposed to the public. So, they raised all and sundry issues, including questions on the sharing of quarry collections and budgetary matters, to make it appear that they are merely performing their role as fiscalizers.

No matter what, the basic objection to the disputed platform hinges on the fact that it demands that those running the government be honest, incorruptible, responsive, transparent, and that the people be given substantial and meaningful say in governmental affairs.

Given the complexion of this proposition, no true-blue trapo can be expected to agree to it since it threatens their vested interests. Most especially, President Arroyo's efforts to strengthen her political dynasty and consolidate her political power in her home turf as well as her desire to perpetuate herself in power beyond 2010. Logically, therefore, there is no other way to protect their interest but to nip the threat in the bud.

This is why Panlilio's political opponents have been ganging up on him from day one to this day. Initially, they tried to whip him into line. But in view of his uncompromising stance, they are now whipping up the whirlwind to force him out of capitol. This explains the current recall move against him, raising various issues some of which are obviously caused by the ongoing word war and therefore should be blamed on the ones who caused the problem.

What is more, Malacanang itself sees it fit to directly take charge of the ensuing political events with the help of Arroyo's national political operators who coordinates with existing political dynasties and other trapos in Pampanga. Joining their group are a handful of moneyed and influential people, some of whom are disgruntled former allies of the beleaguered governor, and a few religious people enjoying social graces from the powers that be.

In the main, the situation is a clear indictment of the existing rotten political system characterized by patronage politics which reeks of political opportunism and personal greed among traditional politicians and insults the dignity of the electorates. It is precisely against this odious political order that the Filipino masses have, in every stage of our history as a people, risen to the challenge of changing it for the better in every way they can.

Panlilio's unprecedented victory in the May 2007 gubernatorial election brought some hope that despite the basic flaws of the system, there is still chance to better their conditions through peaceful elections by supporting and electing to office good and responsible leaders who will represent their genuine interests. But what is happening now in the provincial capitol presents a tragic situation negating their expectation, and it would take them longer time to again find, or not anymore, another chance like this. Now, what if they don't find another chance under the present system? Can the government blame them for seeking for it elsewhere?

In any case, the signs of the times challenge us to stand firm and collectively work and act to preserve our gains. This, as we persevere in our struggle for a truly free, democratic, just, peaceful and prosperous Philippine society.






Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Gitnang Luson
City of San Fernando, Pampanga
September 22, 2008

Among Ed interviewed by Janelle So in KABABAYAN L.A

Governor Eddie T. Panlilio was interviewed by Ms. Janelle So in their U.S based program KABABAYAN L.A on his last trip to the U.S.A. to view the interview, pls. follow the link below:

http://www.la18.tv/Video.aspx?vid=04455534-3475-46d0-bb37-a3e4e62454d7

Priest hits Panlilio's detractors

By Jovi T. De Leon

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Running priest Fr. Roberto Reyes has berated Vice Governor Joseller Guiao, members of the Provincial Board (PB), and Malacañang for their alleged attempts to bring the administration of Governor Eddie Panlilio to its knees.

Reyes even described the current political turmoil in the province as "new eruption" in the likes of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo explosion.

He said this would send the province back to its miserable state before the priest-turned- governor assumed the provincial executive's helm.

The fiery and outspoken Reyes visited the province last Friday to express his support for the governor and celebrate what he calls as "liturgy of the stone."

The stones that came from Mt. Pinatubo were blessed and later on placed by participants and Panlilio in a "Kubol ng Pag-asa" poster lying at the Capitol's front steps.

Before he celebrated the short "liturgy," Reyes took a crack at Guiao, challenging him to take over as governor and "show that Pampanga is not corrupt and that he could rid the Capitol of all its evil."

He assailed Malacañang for keeping mum on the problems of the province. He also lashed back at the governor's detractors for their "dirty patronage politics."

Kasaup: 'We have not lost confidence in guv'

SAN LUIS -- A leader of the group Kasaup here said Monday that their group continues to support Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio and the Crusade for Good Governance despite the call of other sectors for him to resign because of "loss of confidence" and ineffectiveness in governing the province.

Panlilio is the subject of a recall petition initiated last month by the Kambilan Neng Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) and now the object of a "resign" movement elevated by sacked members of protesting Biyaya A Luluguran At Sisikapan (Balas) boys in their month-long picket at the Arnedo Park of the Capitol.

But Arnel Manliclic Sr., a Kasaup municipal coordinator, decried "loss of confidence" as a motive of the recall petition and a reason for other civil society groups to withdraw their support for the Capitol executive, saying he and his group and many more "do not believe Panlilio has lost the confidence of his constituents. "

"Is this what they call 'loss of confidence'? The people in this rally today are farmers, out-of-school youth, businessmen and simply folk who still believe in the governor, good governance and the crusade. Why do they say there's loss of confidence?" Manliclic said.

About 500 placard-bearing members of Kasaup and supporters of Panlilio gathered Monday afternoon at the St. Aloysius Parish here for a prayer rally to denounce the recall move and air their support for Panlilio as well as affirm their allegiance to the principles of the Crusade.

Parish Priest Fr. Fernando David who led the group in praying, said "it was very good to see that the crusade for change and good governance is very well alive" amid the now complex political situation in the province.

The rally was otherwise peaceful, save for the complaints of some members that several barangay officials dissuaded them from joining the gathering by stopping their vehicles. But officials of the barangays identified by the rallyists, belied the allegations.

After a brief program, the group started its own "anti-recall" signature drive by distributing and signing forms that will counter the recall move. (JTD)

KASAUP AT 99.1GV FM

ANGELES CITY - KASAUP, INC. Municipal Coordinators were invited last September 14, 2008, 3pm at 99.1 GVFM'S afternoon program "MALA PAMPANGA".

Upper photo shows from left to right Gov. Eddie Panlilio, Carlos Diokno(San Simon), Adonis Simpao(Sta. Rita), Johnny Balingit(Masanto), MALA PAMPANGA hosts Katotong Irwin and Katotong Marifa.

Tantingco: Saving the governor

By Robby Tantingco
(SunStar Pampanga)

NOW that they're seriously pursuing the recall option-meaning, they really want to get Among Ed out of office -- it's time to sound the clarion call to all you men of goodwill out there: Save the Governor!

Because, if you don't, who will?

He has no political party or machinery that will come to his rescue, and there is not a single elected official out there whom he can count on in times of trouble -- not the vice governor, not the board members, not the mayors or their vice mayors and municipal councilors -- my God, not even barangay chairmen and barangay councilors.

Even his own circle of supporters -- including his financiers, his legal counsel, his chief of staff, his campaign manager -- have either parted ways with him or stayed away from him.

It now appears that Among Ed's enemies and friends have formed a tactical alliance and reached a critical mass that's enough to topple him from power.

If that happens, then it's a sad day for Pampanga.

The good fight that we fought last year and the victory that we achieved over old-style politics would be all for naught. The miracle of people power that stirred the imagination of the democratic world would amount to nothing, after all. The long months of sacrifice by so many heroic people, including the ultimate sacrifice made by that one martyr from Betis, would all be squandered by one weak moment of disunity.

There are some of us who walked away from Among Gob because, well, we went back to our daily lives. There are those who were disillusioned by him, either because his promised reforms are too slow in coming or because he refuses to fire his controversial administrator. And I'm sure there are those who left because they thought it was payback time and got offended when Among Gob did not give them any favors.

Well, whatever your reasons for leaving are, you can set them aside because we have a bigger problem at hand: We are in danger of losing not just Among Gob. We are losing this one golden chance of regaining our pride as a people.

Pampanga has a history of greatness. We were already a nation with a fully functioning civilization before the Spaniards colonized us. Yet even the Spaniards were amazed at the beauty and richness of our land (they called Pampanga "the new Spain") and by the character and talents of our people (they called Kapampangans "the Castilians of these islands").

They were so impressed with Kapampangans that they entrusted their entire army to us and opened their exclusive schools to us. Thus, we produced the first Filipino priests, doctors and writers, achieved a golden age of literature, became the capital of the Philippines, and helped this country gain its independence.

We were on our way to more greatness when somewhere along the way, we were sidetracked by mismanagement of our province by a string of corrupt and inept leaders, by our dependence on a giant US military base, by a volcanic eruption, and by a slow but steady deterioration of our culture and language.

We used to be proud and vain and accustomed to being the center of attention.

Gradually, through the years, but especially after Pinatubo forced us down to our knees, we lost it. The lasting image that the world has of Kapampangans is the image of men, women and children, stripped of all pride and dignity, crawling on lahar like dogs stuck in mud, and lining up in evacuation centers for their daily ration of rice and sardines.

Of course, eventually we achieved economic recovery and cultural reawakening, but it was only last year, in that one glorious moment during the elections, that Kapampangans truly regained their pride as a people as they proved to the world that the two goliaths of Philippine politics -- celebrity and money -- could be defeated after all by prayer and people power.

That was not Among Ed alone. That was all of us.

In the same manner, if Among Ed fails, it won't just be Among Ed, but all of us.

Whatever our gripes against Among Ed, and whatever his flaws, let's save him. It's not actually him we are saving, but the crusade he started -- the crusade for good governance and for higher ethical and moral standards among government officials and workers.

Even his enemies know in their hearts that Among Ed is the best man to lead this crusade. He may not be the most politically astute and most qualified governor, but they know he is the only leader who can lead this crusade with credibility.

The reason the Constitution limited the term of office of elected local officials to three years (instead of six) is precisely so that they can be voted out soon enough before they do more harm.

Among Ed has finished one year and has two more years to go. What terrible thing has he done -- what outrageous misconduct or malfeasance -- that we want him out now?

Why should we go through another long, tedious, divisive and expensive recall election just to get him out and replace him with another who will, for all we know, be even worse?

If we so dislike Among Ed, let's not reelect him in the next election, which is barely 20 months from today. But remove him from office after only a year? Even a simple employee gets two years of probation under the law.

I respect the right of the recall movement organizers to express their disappointment for Among Ed, and to express it in the constitutionally mandated process of recall election. I am sure that they sincerely believe Among Ed doesn't have what it takes to be governor, and I am sure they sincerely want to save the province from what they consider to be an inept leader.

But I also believe there are those who will hitch a ride on the bandwagon of the recall movement with motives other than the welfare of the Kapampangan people -- motives like getting another shot at the position for their losing candidate, and motives like getting even with Among Ed for a business proposal he disapproved or a request he did not grant or a bad experience with his controversial administrator.

I urge them to look into their hearts and think of the interest of the province instead of their own. I urge them to hold another dialogue, or better, a series of dialogues, with the governor -- only this time, no cameras and no audience, so that there will be no grandstanding, only a sincere reaching out to the other side and trying to understand why the other side is doing what it's doing.

They will realize that a dialogue is easier, cheaper, less traumatic and ultimately more rewarding than a recall election.

It won't oust Among Ed, but it will save the province.

A Prescription for Cancer

While the pervasive political graft and corruption amidst us is a disgrace to our nation and our people, a rape against all of us, those officials who obviously accept and practice them, and those who support this social cancer, are worse than the malignant crooks themselves. Their perverted senses of right and wrong, of justice, crime and punishment, are pathologic and sickening.

Take the case of Governor Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, a penniless priest, who won the election fairly and squarely against two well-entrenched “unbeatable’ powerful kingpins with well-funded political machineries in his province. In spite of his proven integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability, and glaringly obvious love and compassion for his constituents, his province, and his country since he took office, Governor Panlilio is being targeted by his enemies and their misguided supporters who are trying hard to punish him and oust him --- through a failed recount, now a recall, and as rumored, possibly (God forbid), through “requiem.” (This last option would be the greatest and the gravest blunder the opposition could make.)

The question is: Why are some people now punishing a moral and law-abiding leader who is fighting graft and corruption, and allowing criminals to go free and unpunished, unabated in their plunder of our cities, provinces, and the nation, as more than 30% of our people are languishing in poverty? This is, indeed, extreme perversion and a mockery of justice! Aren’t we supposed to punish the criminals and reward the law-abiding citizens, and not the other way around?

This problem is not only of Pampanga and of the kapampangans. This is a problem for the entire Filipino nation. What is bad for Pampanga is bad for any other province in the country. What is good for Pampanga is good for the entire nation and the Filipinos in general. Let every Filipino, wherever he or she might be, rally behind Pampanga and its great people. The Pampanga experiment is an effective prescription for the political cancer that is ravaging the entire country

The Filipinos in the Philippines and around the world have the moral and socio-civic obligation to support men of caliber, moral fiber, compassion, and incorruptible integrity like Governor Panlilio, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, Ifugao province Governor Teddy Baguilat, Jr., Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, San Isidro Mayor Sonia Lorenzo, San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, and all other political leaders in the likes of them, and socio-civic champions like Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga, and aid in the national rebuilding of our beloved country, to a new nation, a just, honorable, and compassionate one, where war is waged, not against good people but against corruption and poverty, one which we and our children and the future generations can cherish with honor, dignity and pride within the international community of nations around the world.

To our fellow Filipinos, at home and around the globe: Let us start a revolution, not a revolution of arms, where blood shall be shed, but a revolution of ideals and principles, where our sweat and tears shall bathe the nation clean.

The power is in our hands, and the grasp, within our reach. Indeed, Kaya Natin!

The window of opportunity is here. Let’s unite and go for a miracle. Our ailing nation and our suffering people deserve one.


Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS
Chairman
Filipino United Network (USA)