At it again!

With his administration almost at its death's door, priest – politician Ed Panlilio grapples more than ever for the right words to say when asked by the press on the intertwining issues of his impending recall.

Comment made by Vice Governor Yeng Guiao last year comes quickly to mind: "Panlilio is consistent in being inconsistent". What a consistently apt comment that was!

I remember when the recall was already much talked about and many could not wait to get their signatures on it having had enough of the Panlilio - Dabu regime and their incompetence, arrogance, self-righteousness and betrayal of the Kapampangans and the Crusade. Back then, his statement was along this line: I RESPECT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN FAVOR OF THE RECALL AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT BECAUSE IT PROVES THAT DEMOCRACY IS ALIVE IN PAMPANGA.

However, just when the recall process was underway, he surreptitiously and much noisily filed a plunder case against Bong Pineda, projecting his battle against the evil that is jueteng. With that, he reduced the legitimate grievances of the people to nothing more than Pineda's way of getting back at him! HOW TRULY DEMOCRATIC!  In one swift stroke, he tried to undermine the democratic right and initiative of the people to remove an incompetent public official to whom they have loss confidence to.

When the signatures worryingly (for Panlilio) and unsurprisingly grew in number (224,000 in all),Panlilio fights it tooth and nail against, retaining the legal services of the brilliant election lawyer Atty. Macalintal, exhausting every legal and influential means to quash it and demoralize its proponents.

Unbelievably though, while he moves to derail the recall, he makes the audacious (obviously pampalakas-loob) statements like "Bring it on!" and "I'm confident that I have the backing of the silent majority." OK NOW, THAT'S CONSISTENT!

Yesterday, we read that Panlilio now wish Mayor Oca would soon decide to run for the post should there be a recall election so that, take note: HE CAN FINALLY DECIDE WHETHER HE WILL GO BACK TO PRIESTHOOD WITH A LIGHT HEART or RUN FOR HIGHER OFFICE.

Questions, questions:

Why drag Mayor Oca into his mess and leave all the Panlilio-Dabu kalat to him? I thought he wants and is ready for this recall, why is he pushing somebody else to face his battles. What would his "silent majority say?!?" Is this how he plans to make his graceful exit?

Political pundits are in consensus that Panlilio endorsement these days are a liability. So if I were Mayor Oca, I would say, "Thanks for the endorsement but I belong to a political party that has a process in choosing its candidates and not based on simple whims and fancy. 'Mong, mag-obra na ka mu. Malwat pa ing eleksyon. Besides, if you are the rightful governor of this province, then you will win."

Why is Panlilio's heart heavy? Is it because he knows he has failed in his mission for the crusade and the province? Is it because of his and Dabu's highhandedness that he had lost so many friends and allies and gained enemies and friends?

Run for higher office? Good Lord, please give this man some wisdom! When Panlilio is finally ousted out of the Capitolio by his very own Kabalens, what made him think and what right has he to run or even win a higher office?

If Panlilio entertains any of the mysterious and delirious offers for him to run for higher office, this will make him a recidivist (a habitual offender) for his violation of the Canon Law the second time around. Unless he finally quit or is expelled from priesthood, he will be a very bad example to Catholics especially the young. Apung Ceto, what say you to all of this now!?!