Mirror mirror on the wall....

It would primarily be for his own good if Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio would for once pause and do an honest (as in true blue, bare naked truth) self-assessment of his performance and integrity as a government official, a man and a priest before he even begin to throw the book at anyone, even President Arroyo.

If he’s having trouble coming up with the right questions, I propose he begin with these:

1. Am I genuinely honest -- as I painstakingly try to convince everyone who cares to listen, including myself -- or do I also permit myself a white lie here and there, if situation demands it, thinking his god would understand? Have I convincingly answered up on the issues that just won’t die like my COMELEC campaign contributions report and the missing P1 million donations by Mrs. Hizon, or my statement under oath on Nov. 2007 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing about the P500,000 cash gift where I lied that I did not touch it?

2. Am I really a good, effective and efficient governor and leader, or do I just leave all the work and actual decision-making to my administrator because I trust her completely (regardless of what everybody else says, and even if all my loyal friends and allies has left me), she seems to know the very complicated work so much more than I do, and besides, I am busy with my national campaign? Have I been truly fair to the too many of my confidence team members who either resigned, been fired or simply no longer showed up for work?

3. Is it really enough that we did well with our quarry tax collection, at least for the first few months while the original BALAS Boys were still there? Did I really treat the BALAS Boys fairly or did I actually betray their trust and loyalty by hanging on to my belief that they were all unfair and were ganging up on Atty Dabu?

4. Am I really being fair to Luchie? Am I not depriving her of the due process, notwithstanding her long years of self-less commitment and service to the people of Pampanga? Am I not being a means to harass her person and her integrity, perhaps out of vindictiveness or jealousy by my Provincial Administrator?

5. Am I truly consultative, and do sincerely believe and practice the spirit of dialogue? Do I know how to listen? How did I live up to my commitment to the BALAS Boys, my comrades at Kapampangan Marangal Inc. and Kapampangan Coalition, Inc.? Do I really take into consideration the overall views of KASAUP and even KAYA NATIN (the only allies I have left) that I should let Atty. Dabu go?

6. Am I really a man of integrity or do I refuse to answer up on the moral questions thrown against me? Have I been truly just and fair, in my personal, political and spiritual life? When asked, have I been truthful about my real connection with Ma. Lourdes Remedios Morales-Penaloza and her son Rafael Nicolas?

Those are but some of the points of reflection that I can offer the governor and my column space will allow for now, but I am sure that this is already too much to digest and ponder upon. With those questions considered, honestly answered combined with the sincerest apology and admittance of his weaknesses and soulful prayers that he can muster, I guarantee the governor that all his problems will be half-solved.

*****

My thoughts on June 19, 2009 PDI article “Pampanga Gov to Mickey: Go ahead, run!”

Governor Panlilio should not have allowed Rep. Mickey Arroyo’s view that he is a ‘non-performing asset’ irritate him at wits end, prompting him to make irresponsible and unpriestly comments that can be wrongly taken by many that suicide may be a good option for anyone, even the most desperate. It was quite shocking to hear even coming from dear old Ed. Now, I won’t be surprised of there will be comments coming from the other side, like, “Mauna ka!”

Instead, being as such that he wants so much to pose as a ‘genuine opposition’ of the administration, he should have hailed Mickey’s remark and say something like PROUD TO BE PGMA’s NON-PERFORMING ASSET. That could have made a better headline and fresh data would be reported instead of the overly used and abused claim to fame figures of Pampanga’s quarry tax collections, wouldn’t you say, Tonette?

What if Mickey now asks Panlilio: Why not really run for reelection? The Kapampangans are not dumb!