March 23, 2009
Several groups are forming a coalition to push Governors Eduardo Panlililio of Pampanga and Grace Padacá of Isabela to run for president and vice president in the 2010 national elections.
During the weekly media forum Balitaan sa Tinapayan, running priest Fr. Robert Reyes, lawyer Eireene Aguila of Kaya Natin Movement, Philippine Alliance of Ex-Seminarians (PAX) and the farmers’ group PAKIKISAMA expressed support on the Panlilio-Padacá Tandem. They added that they have had enough of traditional politicians.
But the group has not yet determined which of the two governors should run for president. For now they just want the two on a national ticket for the top-two posts.
Although the group has no name yet for the movement, Aguila said they would be meeting this week with various organizations that shares their vision of a corruption-free Philippines.
“We are here because we believe that the time for change is now,” she added. “We believe that Governors Panlilio and Padacá could lead the country.”
Aguila is also the moderator of graceamong.thebetterchoic@gmail.com, an email address urging the people support to the two governors in the next national elections.
In an open letter by Aguila, she said Filipinos deserve better options for their top leaders.
“We believe that Filipinos are not stupid—not bobo,” she wrote in the open letter. “Given the chance to vote for leaders who have an uncompromising stand against graft, make the most use of our scarce and limited resources, not for personal gain but to deliver services needed by the people; [possess the] political will to make difficult and unpopular yet much-needed decisions for the good of the country; will not coddle and protect the corrupt consistently embody ethical principles; practice good governance and endeavor to be effective public servants; have a heart genuinely for the people, we Filipinos will go out and vote—and vote wisely. Given the chance, we will do what is right.”
Showing support
Aguila explained that her group is starting the movement to let the two governors know that they have the support of Filipinos—not only those in their respective provinces. “I’ve only e-mailed [the open letter] last Wednesday, and I’ve already received around 400 replies.”
She and Reyes said critics have told them that they were “dreaming” about having Panlilio and Padacá run for the top-two posts next year. “But we are dreaming with ours eyes wide open,” Aguila said, echoing a similar statement by Reyes.
Reyes, who is famous for running as a means of political protest, added that the time is ripe for national leaders who are morally upright, rather than those who are skilled.
“Ang mabuting leader is values-centered and is principle-driven while ang magaling is magaling manakot, mangurakot, magsinungaling, etc. [A moral leader is values-centered and is principle-driven, while skilled leaders are good at threatening people, corruption, lying, etc.],” he said.
He added that the group would be putting up a website to be called “Piso at Pangalan para sa Pagbabago [Peso and Name for Change],” where people can offer support for the two governors.
Panlilio is only in his first term as governor, while Padacá is finishing up her third and last term.
Panlilio told The Manila Times that he is still considering his options for 2010, although he had said earlier that his preference would be to return to priesthood.
Good for democracy
Malacañang, meanwhile, welcomed the reported plan by Panlilio to run in the 2010 presidential elections, adding it is “good for our democracy.”
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a state-run radio interview Sunday that Panlilio’s entry to the 2010 race would give people more choices and the priest-turned-governor could even get the Palace backing in case he runs.
“In politics everything is possible. But for Malacañang to endorse him, he will have to jibe with the vision and programs of President [Gloria] Arroyo,” Remonde added.
And to get the Palace endorsement, the secretary said Panlilio must have “proven” capability, competence and integrity.
Panlilio won in the 2007 gubernatorial elections in Pampanga, President Arroyo’s home province, beating the President’s political allies there.
Also in the same year, Panlilio bared receiving a P500,000 cash “gift” to governors from Malacañang at the height of an impeachment bid against Mrs. Arroyo.
The governor recently accused President Arroyo’s son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, of turning a blind eye to the rampant jueteng operations in his province.
His relationship with Pampanga local officials, majority of whom are President Arroyo’s allies, has been strained because of his anti-corruption programs.
-- Ruben D. Manahan 4th And Angelo S. Samonte
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