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Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Guv a no-show in pro-Arroyo congress
By Marna H. Dagumboy and Raymond Garcia
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Some 2,000 Kapampangan leaders and civil society group members assembled at Wow Hilaga (formerly Paskuhan) in this Pampanga city to call for “genuine national reconciliation and unity” and to express their support for cabalen President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Notably absent from the Congress is the “father” of the province, Governor Eddie Panlilio.
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Panlilio said he was not able to attend the “peace and unity congress” because of a prior appointment with the San Carlos Seminary Alumni Association.
The priest-turned-governor also cited the “late invitation” as one of the reasons why he did not attend the event.
Panlilio’s non-attendance came on the heels of his revelation that he received P500,000 shortly after a breakfast meeting of local government officials in Malacañang last October 11.
Panlilio said Mayor Oscar Rodriguez felt he was the one referred to in the “draft” statement of the congress, part of which states: “It saddens us that here in Pampanga, certain personalities have allowed themselves, either out of naiveté or ambition, to be part of this desperate cabal.”
“If in the first place the congress’s draft was referring to me, why should I attend? And even if I am invited, I would have to think twice,” Panlilio said.
Rodriguez said he was reluctant at first to attend the congress but after reading the final copy of the statement, he decided to join the other Kapampangan leaders for “unity’s sake.”
Panlilio, although he did not attend, released statement any military adventurism that seeks “to overthrow the Arroyo administration.” He also vowed to support President Arroyo’s move for good governance and good citizenship.
The assembly dubbed “People’s Congress for Unity and Peace” was attended by 2,000 Kapampangans, including civil society groups in the province.
The peace congress organizers and participants have expressed support to (1) the resolution of the Pampanga Mayors League’s backing the President’s call for unity, peace and reconciliation; (2) the resolution by the Provincial Board (PB) manifesting unequivocal and unquestionable loyalty and support to Arroyo administration.
The congress participants also passed a resolution inviting all Filipinos to set aside partisan and/or sectoral interests in favor of the national interest and to work towards national unity to sustain the current economic growth and restore the country to its former place as one of the most remarkable countries in Asia for investment and employment, specifically for raising a family.
They also appealed to all peace-loving Filipinos to support the call to allow the President to finish her constitutionally mandated six-year term in office until 2010 to foster political stability and to ensure continued economic growth and progress in the country. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (November 7, 2007 issue)
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