ACT DUMB

Gov. Ed Panlilio said that it hit him that politicians “get kinder” when election time draws near. It’s but natural for any person, not just politicos like himself, to put their better foot forward when they are after something.

Ito naman si Among oh, parang hindi tao na naghangad,nangarap o umibig.

I am certain that at some point of his life, he did his own share of wooing, and took efforts to look and act his best, make the best impression, especially if there were competitors vying for the sweet “yes” of the lucky lady.

When he was running for governor in 2007, his image makers worked wonderful miracles so he would look his kindest, nicest and cleanest.

Also, back then, I remember he was always naturally very kind to Jun and Lolita Hizon and their children - Darius (his chief security), Barangay Chair Jomar, Doll and the rest of the Hizon Clan in whose houses (4) he stayed during the campaign & after the election, the lady volunteers (Myrna Bituin, Tess Guanzon, Agnes Romero, Leleng Santiago, Tess Briones, Tootsie Herrera, Nina Saplala, Nina Tomen, Janet Mallari, Lilian Limjoco, among others), Rene Romero and all the other big financial backers - of course the Davids of Betis (Bishop Ambo, Atty. Dante David, Randy). The men I saw with him every evening - Marny Castro, Tatang Fer Caylao, the ex-seminarians and youth volunteers - Archie Reyes, Rop Syquia, Alex Pineda, Ave Laquindanum Patrick Guanzon, Noynoy Santiago, John Sambo, and many others.

Sadly, though, like most wooers who make promises of sun and moon, they fall short, and worst, renege.

KUDOS is in order to Atty. Vivian Dabu for finally getting her salaries. So all this time she is not getting her salary, she is a volunteer staff of the government? Double congratulations to her and Among Ed for probably avoiding possible legal repercussions for holding too much power despite the “volunteer” status. Or am I speaking too soon?

POINT IS, THERE IS NO POINT

What really is the point of the well-crafted July 1 PUNTO! story of Panlilio’s friend Ms. Tonette Orejas on “PRIEST in POLITICS: No graft in 2 years”?

That priests are able to resist temptations, they live simply and they are good at making sacrifices? Ok copy. But aren’t these some of the basic traits any priest, not just Among Ed, should have for them to actually become priests? And with his campaign line of moral, ethical and responsible leadership, the Capampangans were made only to expect as much and maybe even more.

That “Pwede pala!”, a graft-free government is doable, or that it is doable because the leader is a priest? Come on, pari nga sya eh. If there is any current government office in any part of this country that should be graft free, it is that one ran by a priest-governor. Why would he allow it?

But wait, why is the leadership standard limited to plain and simple living? Why not excellence, professionalism and effective governance?

CONDESCENDING: By implication, nakakalungkot itong mga realizations ni Among Ed sa dalawang taon niyang paglalaro sa Capitolio. It is a reflection of one or two things about the priest-politician: one, he feigns ignorance about the man’s nature at the expense of others. Two: he probably thinks all the employees of the Capitol are corrupt and inefficient that he is so amazed about the fact the “Pwede pala!” silang maging malinis at masipag.

Ano ba yan!