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How to Kickstart Your Vlog or Blog (Interviewed by James Deakin!)
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James Deakin invited me to guest on his daily Facebook Live show "Live at
5". We talked about how you can jumpstart your vlog or blog which is super
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ACT DUMB
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!
YOU MIGHT BE A DIE-HARD GOV. ED FAN IF...
You come up with an online survey on your website on whether controversial Provincial Administrator Atty. Dabu should be fired from her job but cancel the same survey just when everybody is checking the Yes answer because well, you didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
You unceasingly cite your favorite Bible story David versus Goliath when people ask how Gov. Ed plans to win the 2010 presidential election without the machinery, money, and the votes.
You question the credibility of a survey on presidential wannabes because results shows Gov. Ed’s name at the very end of the list getting a measly 0.2%.
You vehemently agree that Atty. Vivian Dabu is the ONLY person in Pampanga who can do the job of a Provincial Administrator, and nobody else!
You brag about the “achievements” of Gov. Ed but purposely do not read the local dailies in Pampanga showing the real score there because you believe that all the local journalists are paid publicists of the Lapids, Pinedas and Arroyos.
Grabbing every chance you get, you don’t forget to quote Gov Ed’s P1 million per day quarry tax collection but purposely forget to mention that it stopped being that a long, long time ago.
You feel sorry but hold grudges against the former confidence team members who has left Gov Ed’s side because of Atty. Dabu, thinking, “Oh those poor misguided, incompetent people, they just couldn’t keep up with the pressure.”
You think all the criticisms and bad news against Gov. Ed are untrue, fabricated, imagined and exaggerated because Gov Ed is oh so perfect!
Now, you really are a Gov Ed die-hard fan if…
You secretly accept a brown paper bag full of money from an unknown man while in Malacanang, if caught, hold a national press conference and ask the Office of the President to issue you an official receipt.
You tell the whole world that it seems you were bribed, but only after you spend some of it. Goodbye, evidence!
You are the governor but you are “not privy” to the provincial investment plans. AYOS!
Because you are so humble, you refuse to put your name on the government projects billboards but it’s perfectly alright to put a nice Borj Meneses’ photo shot of your smiling face on all of them.
You enter into a commitment via a dialogue with protesting BALAS employees but four days later forget all about it and ask, “Did I really say that? Show me the minutes!”
You insist on being a priest but you don’t want the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary at your office, and if asked, just say “Oh, I now keep her in my room to get closer to her,” thinking the Mama Mary’s devotees will love that!
Knowing there will be a big rally of incensed truckers against a new Capitol policy, and you know they would definitely demand for a dialogue, you immediately call all the media people available to come to your office and then shut the door and have your bodyguards ready. When the rallyists come up, knock loudly because you just won’t open your double-locked door, go tell the media: “Oh look, they want to attack me!”
You agree to the Governor's move to have former PNP Provincial Director Keith Singian fired because he did not rush to the Governor's Office to "protect Panlilio" from the imaginary "attackers".
(To be continued)
TO the readers: Thanks for the emails and the wonderful ideas and keep them coming! You might also want to email me your own versions of “You might be a die-hard fan of Gov Ed if…”.
Mirror mirror on the wall...
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!
ONSEHAN
ONSEHAN
I am pleasantly amazed by the sudden display of guts and militancy by priest-politician Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, at least for his brave short speech at the anti-Con-Ass Rally held in Makati last week. There he roared, “Tayo po ay ino-onse ng gobyernong ito!” (“We are being fooled by this government!”) Finally, he made his position clear! No more camouflage.
He went on to speak about all the mighty-sounding ideals of “abundance, justice, power to the people.”
That came after the much talked about Anti-Con-Ass paid political ad where together with other politicians and concerned individuals, Among Ed expressed his refusal to be silenced by the powers and dramatically taped-off his mouth and said, “Hindi ako papayag…”
The many that have bones yet unpicked with the priest-politician and the not-quite-a-damsel in Capitolio is definitely not fooled by this timely patriotic exhibition.
“Among Ed, kami po ang inoonse nyo! Hindi kami papayag!” is the comment that I got from a former BALAS supervisor who even now, after almost a year of protest seeking only a small amount of unpaid wages and benefits but out of vindictiveness of the lady administrator have failed to benefit from the true meaning of justice that Among Ed so easily speaks about here and there.
Luchie Gutierrez is banned, with matching security guards, from entering her own office despite the court declaration that her 90-day suspension by the jury-judge-executioner governor is null and void. Luchie is clearly being subjected to harassment as more cases are filed against her. Not only is deprived of what is just and fair, but she is a victim of Panlilio’s selective practice of his favorite phrase “rule of law”, as it usually becomes nothing more than a simple “opinion” of the court if it runs against his wishes.
Again I wonder, is good governance just about making a stand against corruption? Did he really just become the governor of Pampanga – and now aiming for higher a post – to fight corruption? Aren’t incompetence / inefficiency and injustice/abuse of power higher forms of corruption? Is not the fight against corruption based on the fight for justice? But what is justice for Panlilio? One that is just only for him and not for those who have differences with him?
To speak about fighting corruption while he himself may be guilty of it is the worst kind because there is deception, a local form of pang-o-onse and taking people for a ride.
NUMBERS DON’T LIE: How Among Ed Plays the Game of Stats and Still Lose
The recent press statement of Panlilio congratulating himself and the new BALAS Boys for having surpassed quarry collections compared to the past administrations is really a clear attempt to deceive the public by creating the wrong impression and elevate himself as the good and honest governor.
Everybody knows that prior to Panlilio’s assumption as governor of Pampanga, Vice Governor Yeng Guiao has already sued the Lapids for plunder because of alleged irregularities in the quarry collections. In fact, Panlilio himself capitalized and benefited from this very issue, partnered with that of jueteng, and used both as effective campaign lines to defeat his political opponents in 2007 elections.
Now, why did Panlilio and his public information office compare his own quarry tax collection performance to that of the Lapids, and a huge announcement at that toying with statistics (millions and millions of that, more than double this, 14 times more than that) even while, as we all know, the latter were ridden with multiple allegations of corruption?
Oh, that’s right, it was a nice friendly reminder to the public of the long running good vs evil theme, and a build-up for his next move which he did four days later (Yeng says 1 year later) to file the graft and corruption charges against the Lapids et al.
Oo nga naman, aside from projecting himself as THE ULTIMATE GRAFT BUSTER, he can also try to steal Yeng’s thunder (going after the Lapids on the issue of corruption in quarry collections was Yeng’s bitter and lonesome crusade) and strategically try halt Leon Guerrero on his tracks on the way back to Capitolio.
He knows full well that he may have luckily beaten the son, but there is no way he can win over the father. Besides, with him being a disastrous flop in what is now clear to many as being nothing more than an act as Pampanga’s governor (where Dabu is said to be the director), his chances of getting re-elected is glaringly slim-to-none.
Okay, please bear with me, say for the sake of argument, let us suppose that GOOD AND HONEST GOVERNANCE in Pampanga is only about the quarry tax collection of the last 23 months as Panlilio’s recent statement seems to imply. Can we all truthfully say that such is at work in this province? Has he satisfactorily explain why his administration failed to meet the benchmark of P1 million per day collection that it has highly publicized and therefore set during the first few months of his career? If the system is good, and the management efficient, shouldn’t the quarry collections increase instead of plunge?
Reports and figures clearly indicate a downward trend in the collections, especially after the termination of the original supervisors and checkers of BALAS:
If, as the governor declared, the collection for the 23-month period is P397,608,000.00, and the total collection from July 2007 – February 2009 is P347,510,000.00, then the collection from March – May 2009 can be grossly estimated as only P50,098,000.00 – that’s on the average P17M of monthly collection – a far cry from the P24, 20, 21 millions collected during the first 3 months of Panlilio administration!
Instead of the spurious comparison between the Lapids - Panlilio quarry performance (which by virtue of Panlilio’s graft and corrupt charges against the Lapids would be and is actually very low), why did he not instead evaluate his own 23-month performance and honestly explain why the collection is going down instead of up? In fact, as per reports, there are more or less 3,000 trucks of sand hauled from the quarry sites all over Pampanga every day, and with a truly efficient system of collection, the province can collect as much as P900,000.00 daily. The benchmark. So what happened?
What is happening?
This ‘cheating’ of Panlilio to deceive the public is a trapo technique. Paging Kaya Natin and the Ateneo School of Government: Please teach Among Ed to be ‘honest’ in his political propaganda.#
PANLILIO-DABU: The Greater Public Risk
PSWDO Chief Luchie Gutierrez faced a 90-day suspension as disciplinary action for allegedly authorizing the serving of expired noodles to children at a Pamisaupan Cavaran last March. This came after priest-politician-judge-executioner Governor Eddie T. Panlilio formed an “investigative” body headed by none other than CPA-Atty-PA Vivian Dabu. This body concluded, beyond doubt, that Gutierrez in fact had knowledge that the noodles were expired.
What is it about this administration of a not-quite-but-should-be-an-ex-priest and an ex-assistant prosecutor and due process? One would think that being a priest, there should be a bigger margin of understanding on what is just and fair, on what rights are due to the accused as much as the accuser/s and how to responsibly conduct an investigation by following the processes.
Where is the required freedom from arbitrariness in Luchie’s case? How did they conclude that she was guilty in absence of giving her the opportunity to be heard? Where is fair play?
He talks so much about the rule of law and of good governance, but he does not seem to understand nor practice it.
If my memory serves me right, this is not the first time that Among Ed and Atty. Dabu had done this to the officials of the Capitolio, who, interestingly, were all not in good standing in the eyes of Atty. Dabu, because they all refuse to simply kowtow to the Queen. I am reminded of the supervisors of the original BALAS Boys, who were also robbed off their rights to due process. These good people made one mistake – going against the ire of Vivian. For Vivian is truth, Vivian is justice, Vivian is fairness. Haaay…
There is a greater risk to the public than the serving of unchecked expiration dates of noodles – which should have been done personally by the PSWDO herself, if Dabu would have it. The public is in constant danger so long as the duo of Panlilio and Dabu remains to sanctimoniously rule and mismanage the Capitolio.
Case in point: the P1.2B 2009 budget of the Capitol which the DBM recently declared ‘inoperative’ because the Office of the Governor did not submit the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for approval. Meanwhile, Panlilio was reported to have said that he was not in touch with the reality surrounding the AIP and its submission because he was busy with his work in Manila. CAN THE PEOPLE OF PAMPANGA NOT PUT PANLILIO IN PERMANENT SUSPENSION FOR ENDANGERING THE PROJECTS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CAPITOL? Does this not pose a greater risk to the people of Pampanga?
To Luchie: We will support you all the way because we know that you are standing for truth, fairness and justice. We shall not allow your 33 years of sterling service to the poor people of Pampanga be halted simply because the rulers of the Capitolio fail to appreciate what service to the public truly means. You show them Luchie!
http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/3627/Volume-3-No-30/Opinion/Luchie’s-relief
Lowering the Bar
LOWERING THE BAR
WHERE do we develop our values?
At home. In school. Good friends. Ideal mentors.
When we were young and we were caught telling a lie, sinasabon ang mga bibig namin. My younger brother was caught smoking and Papa had him eat the whole stick of cigarette.
It is an issue of reward and punishment. You do bad, lagot ka. So the issue of how we treat corrupt officials -- jail them, shame them, sue them etc. -- is very important for the young ones to develop a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong especially now that many parents are busy making a living or separating from each other.
I read a statement that Among Ed was one of the two presidential aspirants at the ANC Leadership Forum a couple of weeks ago who mentioned that THE DECLINE OF CORRECT VALUES has destroyed the Philippine society.
I believe this, too.
But leaders, especially presidential aspirants who preach and wish to claim the moral upper-hand like Among Ed should lead by example and not by mere words.
He has to answer for the many questionable things he has done while a governor of Pampanga. He must come clean with the omission of the names of his financial contributors and their actual contributions in the list that he submitted to COMELEC in 2007. It is not enough to state ambiguously that his accountants and lawyers have “ironed it out” with the COMELEC.
He must apologize for lying about the P500,000 he received in the parking lot of Malacañang -- the bundle of money he admitted he got (only after he was asked by a reporter-friend), the same “dirty money” as he presented it to the media and later the Senators, the bundle of money he claimed he never touched, but admitted a year later, and only after his former aide squealed, that he authorized the use of P20,000 of it. Ano pong moral value ang mapupulot natin dito? Ang umamin lamang kapag napansin na at wala nang lusot?
Are we to just forget about these things and conveniently dismiss them as mere lapses of judgment just so we can perfectly fit Among Ed to our idea of a moral leader, one who will lead the country’s moral revolution? Huwag naman po.
I feel I must quote from an email that I received last week, one by a Rodolfo Paglinawan who brilliantly captured my sentiments on the lowering of both the moral and governance standards just so we can install the priest-politician who for some, SEEMS to offer what our country needs.
Wrote Mr. Paglinawan: “What has Ed Panlilio done to make Pampanga a model province - that we now should elect him president? Increased revenues? But that is what every governor is expected to do… But crowning a man for complying with his basic job description? Boy let us not lower the bar. The minimum requirement for any government employee is public trust, as public office is public trust.
Pampanga’s cities are faced with a population growth higher than national average. By what record proportions has he increased investments and employment opportunities to cope with the increased human density? ...Does he have any flagship projects? Has he increased the number of schools, build more markets, farm-to-market roads and bridges, and post-harvest facilities? What about crime? How dramatic has been the drop in crime rate? Has he eradicated illegal gambling in the province? Has he even minimized it? What about agricultural increments, has there been any perks? Where is the bumper harvest that he has helped create? What about tax collection, other than from gravel and sand? Is there any capability-building programs and attendant infrastructure that have been built to increase employability of its residents, within and without Pampanga? What about tourism? What about improvements in health and social services?
With Ed Panlilio, what direction of change will he take us? For now, without categorical answers to my questions above, it is more like a game of chance, not change.
This man is playing ‘jueteng’ with our minds.
What the Philippines deserve today is a clear road map from presidentiables, supported by established and concrete and historical proof of achievement. Indeed, we are in biblical times - We need a national leader who has built his reputation on rock-solid foundations with scars and track records to show, and Governor Panlilio has yet built his reputation on sand and gravel.
What the Philippines need today is a Nehemiah who besides moral ascendancy, can rise over divisions, inspire volunteerism and sacrifice, and rebuild the walls of our modern-day Jerusalem. Governor Panlilio cannot even put his provincial act together, as most local government officials are not on his side.
So puede ba, Panlilians, run around the block for half an hour and afterwards, reward yourselves with a cold shower. If that still don’t earn you an honest epiphany on this issue, just like one advertisement - face the bathroom mirror, slap yourselves twice across your face for thank God you needed that!”
WHERE do we develop our values?
At home. In school. Good friends. Ideal mentors.
When we were young and we were caught telling a lie, sinasabon ang mga bibig namin. My younger brother was caught smoking and Papa had him eat the whole stick of cigarette.
It is an issue of reward and punishment. You do bad, lagot ka. So the issue of how we treat corrupt officials -- jail them, shame them, sue them etc. -- is very important for the young ones to develop a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong especially now that many parents are busy making a living or separating from each other.
I read a statement that Among Ed was one of the two presidential aspirants at the ANC Leadership Forum a couple of weeks ago who mentioned that THE DECLINE OF CORRECT VALUES has destroyed the Philippine society.
I believe this, too.
But leaders, especially presidential aspirants who preach and wish to claim the moral upper-hand like Among Ed should lead by example and not by mere words.
He has to answer for the many questionable things he has done while a governor of Pampanga. He must come clean with the omission of the names of his financial contributors and their actual contributions in the list that he submitted to COMELEC in 2007. It is not enough to state ambiguously that his accountants and lawyers have “ironed it out” with the COMELEC.
He must apologize for lying about the P500,000 he received in the parking lot of Malacañang -- the bundle of money he admitted he got (only after he was asked by a reporter-friend), the same “dirty money” as he presented it to the media and later the Senators, the bundle of money he claimed he never touched, but admitted a year later, and only after his former aide squealed, that he authorized the use of P20,000 of it. Ano pong moral value ang mapupulot natin dito? Ang umamin lamang kapag napansin na at wala nang lusot?
Are we to just forget about these things and conveniently dismiss them as mere lapses of judgment just so we can perfectly fit Among Ed to our idea of a moral leader, one who will lead the country’s moral revolution? Huwag naman po.
I feel I must quote from an email that I received last week, one by a Rodolfo Paglinawan who brilliantly captured my sentiments on the lowering of both the moral and governance standards just so we can install the priest-politician who for some, SEEMS to offer what our country needs.
Wrote Mr. Paglinawan: “What has Ed Panlilio done to make Pampanga a model province - that we now should elect him president? Increased revenues? But that is what every governor is expected to do… But crowning a man for complying with his basic job description? Boy let us not lower the bar. The minimum requirement for any government employee is public trust, as public office is public trust.
Pampanga’s cities are faced with a population growth higher than national average. By what record proportions has he increased investments and employment opportunities to cope with the increased human density? ...Does he have any flagship projects? Has he increased the number of schools, build more markets, farm-to-market roads and bridges, and post-harvest facilities? What about crime? How dramatic has been the drop in crime rate? Has he eradicated illegal gambling in the province? Has he even minimized it? What about agricultural increments, has there been any perks? Where is the bumper harvest that he has helped create? What about tax collection, other than from gravel and sand? Is there any capability-building programs and attendant infrastructure that have been built to increase employability of its residents, within and without Pampanga? What about tourism? What about improvements in health and social services?
With Ed Panlilio, what direction of change will he take us? For now, without categorical answers to my questions above, it is more like a game of chance, not change.
This man is playing ‘jueteng’ with our minds.
What the Philippines deserve today is a clear road map from presidentiables, supported by established and concrete and historical proof of achievement. Indeed, we are in biblical times - We need a national leader who has built his reputation on rock-solid foundations with scars and track records to show, and Governor Panlilio has yet built his reputation on sand and gravel.
What the Philippines need today is a Nehemiah who besides moral ascendancy, can rise over divisions, inspire volunteerism and sacrifice, and rebuild the walls of our modern-day Jerusalem. Governor Panlilio cannot even put his provincial act together, as most local government officials are not on his side.
So puede ba, Panlilians, run around the block for half an hour and afterwards, reward yourselves with a cold shower. If that still don’t earn you an honest epiphany on this issue, just like one advertisement - face the bathroom mirror, slap yourselves twice across your face for thank God you needed that!”
Bistado
What a bummer it must have been for the handful dreamers of an “Among Pres” (Father President) in 2010 had they imagined that the ANC Leadership Forum held at Ateneo last week may just be the perfect opportunity to showcase and promote their manok.
Well, ideally, it should, kung may ibubuga ang nasabing manok.
For one, it is a free 2-hour prime time TV exposure with a fairly wide captive audience especially from the upper/middle class professional/intellectual folks here and abroad who are also potential big-time funders, influential opinion shapers, campaigners and volunteers. Added bonus too is that the questions seem to have been given in advance (which explains how the slow-to-discern Panlilio went sleepless over the question of PGMA’s positive contribution to our country) giving the guests the opportunity to deliver their best President-material responses and perhaps minimize the generic motherhood, ill-conceived and even goofy statements.
Having some idea of how grueling any public face-off / battle-of-Presidential-wits under the close scrutiny of intellectuals, experts and professionals can get, the lead dreamer/convener of the Panlilio-for-President Utopian Society could have called for a mock-Question and Answer session with their manok thereby making sure that he will come out of the battle victorious and worthy of the hallowed pedestal that they had him installed. But since they obviously did not, ayan tuloy, nangamote. Kawawa naman.
The commentaries of national columnists and online bloggers after the forum somewhat demonstrates my point. Almost in unison, the general sentiment was: THERE IS NO WAY THAT THIS PRIEST CAN BE THE NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT.
Clearly unimpressed, the ever-sharp Amado Doronila of PDI concluded that all the aspirants where opportunistic and would grab every chance, even Manny Pacquiao’s fame and fortune, to get their hands on the presidency. Talk about the claims over Panlilio being the ‘real alternative’ presidential candidate!
Also incisive but more direct was the comments of Herman Tiu Laurel of The Daily Tribune. He wrote: “Then, there’s that newcomer whom everybody knows is kicking himself upstairs because he failed to fulfill the expectations of his provincemates who helped secure his fluke of a slim win, who wouldn’t be able to win again given his situation today. This fellow, a priest, is sadly possessed of a hyperbolic perception of his own significance, who clings to an ideology that is too limited to the anti-corruption issue, betraying an ignorance or denial of neo-colonialism, as well as corporatocratic feudalism as the real problems of this country.” OUCH!
Mr. Tony Lopez of the Manila Times wrote his take on Panlilio: “Retired priest, Ed Panlilio, the governor of Pampanga, sounded like he didn’t want (he gave a lot of “ifs”) to join Pacquiao but he didn’t have the mental honesty to say so on prime time TV. Ricky Carangdang asked the right question when he asked Governor Panlilio why so many people in Pampanga hate him. The governor ducked the question by saying many other people also like him. What Carangdang didn’t ask the good padre is why is it the nearly the entire Pampanga officialdom doesn’t like Panlilio, which says a lot about his style of governance. The ANC anchor also didn’t ask Panlilio what gives him the right to run for president when he seems to have made a mess of running the Pampanga provincial government. And why does he give so many conditions before he could be convinced to run. Is he a frontrunner? Surveys don’t even sniff his name among the top-of-the mind choices of voters for president. To me, Father Panlilio is simply on an ego trip. He is not a viable presidential candidate. He has very little chances of winning. Right now, he is not even sure of winning reelection in his native Pampanga.” OUCH! OUCH!
Fernando Gagelonia posted on midfield.blogspot.com, “Panlilio was the least impressive alternately sounding like the man of the cloth that he still is, while grappling with the intricacies of vested-interest local politics in his native Pampanga.”
From Gov. Panlilio’s responses on the 10-minute one-on-one interview with Ricky, it is clear that what’s keeping the suspended priest from finally seeking dispensation from the Vatican or to resign from the priesthood is really no longer about his love for the vocation as he piously and repeatedly declared in the not so distant past.NOW, THE TRUTH IS OUT: IT IS REALLY JUST ABOUT THE MONEY!
Ricky: What are the factors that will make you decide kung tatakbo talaga kayo?Gov. Ed: Wala tayong pera, Ricky eh… Kung tutulungan ako, if this will snowball, then I might go for it.
Hay naku, Among Ed, with the way you treated your campaign donors, fellow Crusaders, supporters, volunteers, staff, friends and relatives after THEY installed you into power, how can you expect a nationwide snowballing of support? With less than a year to prove that you were worth the sacrifice and the votes of the people of Pampanga, what have you got to show for it?
Hay naku, Among Ed, with the way you treated your campaign donors, fellow Crusaders, supporters, volunteers, staff, friends and relatives after THEY installed you into power, how can you expect a nationwide snowballing of support? With less than a year to prove that you were worth the sacrifice and the votes of the people of Pampanga, what have you got to show for it?
We all reap what we sow.You sow disunity among the people, contempt and suspicion of any elected official who refuses to kowtow to you, and you consistently listen only to the voice of – no, not God’s, but his own and that of his goddess. Ganun na ba talaga kayo kagaling ngayon, Gov?
If there is one really good thing the ANC Leadership Forum did for its viewers, it is this: IT HELPED EXPOSE GOVERNOR PANLILIO FOR WHAT HE TRULY IS AND WHAT HE CLEARLY IS NOT.
Mirage!
Mirage!
IF THERE is anyone who would identify with priest-politician Gov. Ed Panlilio’s continuing dilemma of whether he would abide by the Canon Law or his own political ambition, it would certainly be this Arnold van Vugt, the writer of Inquirer’s Letter to the Editor, “Panlilio for President, why ever not?” published on May 5.
Apparently, Arnold van Vugt is a Mindanao-based Dutch citizen who came to the Philippines in 1961 as a Carmelite priest. Having fallen in love with a Filipina, he opted to get married on 1988 and is no longer a priest. Instead, he and his wife now play an active role among the Carmelite lay-associate circle as members of the Archdiocesan Apostolate for Good Governance.
I have not personally met and talked with Mr. Van Vugt, but if I were a priest who has been battling with the Canon Law, although perhaps for a more personal reason like for instance, right to marry, rather than political one, I would also sympathize and would definitely mobilize all the support I can muster for Gov. Ed.
But then again, if I would want to marry or become a politician, I would never dare enter priesthood knowing that I won’t be allowed to do so. See what I mean?
Although based only on his writings as a local newspaper columnist of Cagayan de Oro, as a soldier of Christ and a defender of the poor, I respect former-Father Van Vugt. His observations of our country, people and culture are poignant and sharp, having been here in the Philippines and serving our countrymen for almost 50 years, making him more Filipino than some.
However, I think his support for Among Ed for President is sadly misguided if it is only based on the supposed record of the governor on “honesty, integrity and political will,” ideal characteristics which most Kapampangans know to be nothing more than a mirage created out of despair.
We Filipinos have become, for very good, urgent and real reasons, so desperate and thirsty for an ideal leader that, almost like a man dying from thirst stranded on the worst desert on earth and begins to imagine seeing an oasis even when there is none.
If only on the basis of his track record on the governance of Pampanga, Governor Ed does not have what it takes to be the President of this country. Like I always say, it would be good for any avid supporters of Governor Ed to at least learn about the real situation in Pampanga before they pledge their all-out support for him, and not inadvertently do more harm than good to our country and people that is already suffering as it is.
It would also be wise not to rely simply on the reports of some national daily newspaper that to begin with is guilty of misguiding the Filipino people into believing that priest-politician Gov. Ed is “the one”, the Messiah, the Oasis that we need.
To somehow prove my point, this published letter to the editor by Mr. Van Vugt was most probably emailed to the PDI on March 25, the day my columnist friend Tony Abaya of another newspaper received the same. For some reason (to spin, most likely), editors of the above mentioned national daily decided to publish it on the same day another letter to the editor, this time by a Kapampangan who believes that Panlilio is nothing more and have done nothing more than any ordinary and traditional governor have for his province and constituent.
A brief look at the local news in Pampanga would give any one a glimpse on what Panlilio’s governance is all about. It is marred by incompetence, petty projects, disillusionment of most of his supporters because of his arrogance, intransigence, and one-sidedness – mostly in favor of his administrator, Atty. Vivian Dabu.
An even deeper investigation would not only prove this but would result to frustration to the supporters of Among Ed, as what happened to the group of Patrick Pantaleon who after their consultation with Mrs. Lolita Hizon (Among Ed’s number one financial contributor) and the former supporters of Gov. Ed went tearfully home after they learned that Gov. Panlilio is not what the most read national daily have fabricated him to be. But they still support him.
Blind loyalty ??? Magic of a Priest ???
Yes, once a priest always a priest. I think that is exactly what Apung Oscar and Apung Ceto meant when they said that there is no such thing as a priest on leave and that priests are not of this world, but a spiritual one. If anyone would want to serve the people as a government official, then let that one be not a priest. And if we wish to volunteer anyone to serve as the President of our country, it should be someone who genuinely bears the character of honesty, integrity and political will.
Published by the Central Luzon Daily, may 10, 2009
The Ed Test
THE ED TEST
Four nights ago, I received a forwarded email from Patrick Pantaleon, one of themany common friends that Gov. Ed and I share. The email is from a Mr. Sam Ferrer, apparently a member of PAX (a group of ex-seminarians) and supporter of Gov. Ed. In the email he wrote that he had devised a tool to (1) help him “understand thedynamics going on in Pampanga… to obtain a more objective assessment of AE’s [Among Ed] 20-month performance as Governor,” (2) help you [Patrick] and our friends out there as it has helped me in my search for truth, justice, and peace about AE so that we may now put everything to rest and close the wounds that are hurting all of us unnecessarily, wittingly or unwittingly.”
Mr. Ferrer called this tool THE ED TEST and for him, Among Ed PASSED this test.
The 6 Es
1. Efficiency in the use of resources
2. Effectivity in the delivery of goods and services
3. Equity-empowerment of local governments (mayors/baranggays)
4. Evenly treatment of constituents/ entities in the transaction of business and application of laws that govern normal daily transactions
5. Ethical regeneration to get rid of graft and corruption
6. Ecological balance to keep a healthy environment and the pursuit of sustainable development
The 6 Ds
1. Dedication to a work ethics (management style) open to feedback
2. Dignity and decorum proper of a public servant
3. Discipline and dynamic sense of duty in the workplace
4. Desire for excellence in thought, word, deed, and good public relations
5. Democratic mechanisms to ensure broad participation, transparency, accountability
6. Dictum: from each according to ability, to each according to need.
I’m sure most Kapampangans, not just the others who are with unhealed wounds and wants to know the ‘truth, justice, and peace’ about Among Ed and his 20-month performance as governor of this province will appreciate this test very much in as much as it is incisive, object and comprehensive. Indeed, any government official who can pass THE ED TEST is a leader worthy of emulation and must by all means be supported.
However, here is the million dollar question of many Kapampangans and everyone else who genuinely cares about the province and our country would seriously want to know the answer to:
HOW IN HEAVEN’S NAME DID MR. FERRER COME UP WITH A PASSING MARK FOR AMONG ED?
Has he spoken to the BALAS Boys and their families who for almost 300 days at thepicketline have been seeking the truth, justice and peace from Among Ed?
Has he sat down with the Among Ed’s former confidence team members to ask just how “good” his management skills are?
Has he conferred with his fellow ex-seminarians who were once like the governor’s own “Swiss Guards” but now feel betrayed when he chose to keep his questionable lady administrator over all of them?
Has he spoken to the local government officials of Pampanga and asked if they have felt “empowered” under Gov. Ed’s leadership?
Has Among Ed finally told Mr. Ferrer the truth about what he did to the unreported P1 million campaign contribution of Mrs. Hizon?
Did he find it satisfactory that Among Ed accepted, spent and lied about theP500,000 which he received from unknown sources?
Has he asked to interview Kapampangan Coalition Inc. (KCI) Chairman Fr. Resty Lumanlan, SVD and all the demoralized members of the Kapampangan Crusade just how ‘open’ to feedback and consultative Among Ed is?
And finally, has Among Ed given him the sanction to test and assess his performance as governor of Pampanga, a privilege that he did not give Archbishop Oscar Cruz when the outspoken Apung Oca commented that Among Ed is not capable of governing the nation. Buti hindi ka din sinabihan at binastos sa public television na wala kang pakialam dahil hindi ka naman nakatira sa Pampanga.
Oh, that’s right, basta favorable comments ayos lang, pwedeng pwede at Kayang Kayang makialam!
PUBLISHED BY THE CENTRAL LUZON DAILY, May 3, 2009
