BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon
Wolves in sheep’s clothing

Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio is being egged on by his supporters to run for president next year and he is open to it “if God wills it.” His minions say a priest with unsullied reputation as the country’s top executive could bring hope to residents grown weary of lawlessness and corruption. They say they would rather have him run than see another corrupt clown aspiring to sit as top honcho of this blighted republic.

I received an e-mail from the priest-turned-governor on his intention to run. In his own words: “I never had a liking for partisan politics. Priesthood and pastoral ministry has always been my life for 28 years. And I love this life.

“On the evening of May 18, 2007, I was proclaimed governor of Pampanga. On that same night I said I would only be in public service for 3 years. That was my promise and I intend to keep it. However, we have a saying that goes, ‘Man proposes, God disposes.’ Hence, if the Good Lord wills me to run for a second term or a higher office, let His will be done. After all I have stopped living for myself.

“My agenda has therefore been to be submissive to His design. I have been approached by a number of groups prodding me to aspire for the presidency. I replied let us make a collective discernment to know whom God really wants for this job. If we find a person or persons that best embody good governance, effective and ethical leadership, let us support such leaders and make them win. I too will support them.

“I will not volunteer to run. But if God tells me to run through this collective process, so be it. I will also come to a personal discernment. Whatever is the decision that brings peace to my heart, then that must be His will.”
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There are others like Panlilio with untarnished records who could also be tapped to run for president like Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno so people of this Banana Republic could feel a new lease in life from the hopelessness, moral breakdown and thievery in high government places. We need somebody who could inspire hope, like US President Barack Obama, even on a lesser degree.

Call it wishful thinking, but maybe, if only we could ban all these politicians with tainted records from running for public office, maybe, this country could become great again. We don’t need inept and corrupt people running the government. We don’t need feudal dynasties like they are the only people who can run affairs of government. We want change, but it should be change that is genuine, upright and geared for the betterment of everybody.

Who doesn’t want a better life? As pointed out by Obama, it is the role of everybody to work for the good of all. We can’t just entrust our fate to God and do nothing. We have to work for it. If we have the same set of officials every after election, it is because we let them coerce, trick or buy us with ill-gotten money.
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Puno struck an emotional chord when he called for a “moral force” to fight for what is right and just. I guess it is really what the people have been waiting for – somebody who has the unsullied character, education, experience and intelligence who can call for such. Any tainted politician saying that would have been dismissed as another ambitious clown.

In Panlilio’s case, now that he bared his presidential ambitions, his guts are now spread on the table to be dissected by people with unwashed hands and this could be messy. Such people, reportedly supported by jueteng money have been trying to ease him out as Pampanga governor.
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National elections are scheduled to be held next year (if the lackeys in the Lower House wouldn’t make magic with their Charter change machinations) while the wolves in sheep’s clothing are trying to make their presence felt. Their breath could be smelled a mile away. The next elections would determine where this country could go. It is high time people become more discerning and more mature in voting for candidates. But then again, the three Gs – guns, goons and gold are hard to resist. God save the Philippines.
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I can’t for the life of me understand why the Ifugao sangguniang panlalawigan failed to pass a resolution of support and endorsement for construction of a Bahay Pagasa project which resulted to the scrapping of the project. The Department of Social Welfare and Development reportedly submitted to the SP, through Vice Gov. Nora Dinamling on May 6, 2007 the request for the body to make a resolution but it has gone the way of a betel nut into a waste can.

As a result, Ifugao forfeited the grant and the project was transferred to Abra. The DSWD has withdrawn the P2.5-million grant to the province for the construction of the rehabilitation center for Ifugao juvenile delinquents or children.

The rehabilitation center, to be called "Bahay Pagasa," was supposed to be constructed in Lamut town on a vacant government lot for the project. Ifugao would have been the first province in the Cordillera Region to be the recipient of the grant from DSWD under its nationwide Bahay Pagasa program for rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents, but then, that is now water under the bridge.

Was the reason for the non-action of the SP due to differences over perceived kickbacks as some Ifugao constituents claim, forgetfulness or plain laziness? Just asking.