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Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Guv, administrator sue ex-workers
By Ian Ocampo Flora and Jovi T. De Leon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio and Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu filed separate charges against protesting members of the Biyaya A Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas) and two former employees on Monday.
Panlilio and Dabu filed the separate cases of libel, grave slander and oral defamation, alarms and scandals, and unjust vexation against the former Capitol employees before Provincial Prosecutor's Office.
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Named as principal respondents are former Capitol chief-of-staff Archimedes "Archie" Reyes and former social services officer Roperlee Syquia. Along with them are Balas boys' leaders Alex Pineda, Eduardo De Leon, Christopher Ramil Ocampo and Filologo Rodriguez.
In his complaint, Panlilio said at the very onset, the protesters did not dwell on the issues that may have led them to stage such rally and call for Dabu's resignation.
"Instead, they (protesters) focused on maligning my personality and reputation, aimed to demoralize me and eventually, to succumb and resign to their pleasure of making her resign," Panlilio said.
He added: "In my decision to maintain Attorney Dabu in her position as Provincial Administrator, the rallyists have resorted to defaming me as well to pressure me to accede to their clamor for Attorney Dabu's resignation; they are now likewise calling for my resignation."
Panlilio labeled as defamatory the statements and posters, among which are "Gob. Panlilio Walang Palabra de Honor", "Kay Panlilio and Sarap sa Balas Boys and Hirap", and "Gov. Panlilio Please Do Not Betray the Kapampangans for a Certain Woman Conscience Please."
"Furthermore, insinuations that gravely discredit, dishonor and destroy my reputation, with statements that are baseless, unwarranted and plainly malicious were made repeatedly, saying: 'Among is leaving tomorrow! Dabu is sad! Uuuuy!'"
The priest-turned-governor added that the protesters posted a tarpaulin with pictures of him and Dabu combined and designed to give out a wedding theme, with the following texts: "Dabu-Panlilio Resign! People of Pampanga An Invitation."
Panlilio and Dabu said they've had enough of it, and have put up with the remarks of the protesters for too long.
"I am a priest," said Panlilio, "and it's not right that they say I have no palabra de honor. It's too much, their shouts and streamers are already below the belt."
It will be recalled that Panlilio first cried "foul" over some actions and remarks of protesting Balas Boys at the Arnedo Park last August 22, when he told media men: "Look, it is only 4:30 in the afternoon and their sound system is up loud and blaring. I just wish they would have consideration for those working here in the Capitol. Employees here start working as early as 7:00 in the morning until about 5:30 in the afternoon, and sometimes the noise disrupts work. And some of the things they say are already 'foul'. It doesn't sound good anymore, even with freedom of the press," Panlilio said, referring to some taunting comments he just heard while overseeing the unloading of medical donations from the World Medical Relief Inc., USA.
In succeeding interviews, Panlilio said he would remain unperturbed by the "noise" and the rallies outside of his office. "Let's have patience. I understand it is their constitutional right to protest and call for my resignation," Panlilio said.
But after the protesters' second rally on September 22 where additional streamers were put up, the priest-turned-governor admitted he was beginning to be distracted partly from his work and was already contemplating during that time to take action.
"You know, we've put up with their actions and defamatory remarks for too long. I've been talking to them for so long. I just wish they would give us a chance," Panlilio said.
Dabu, on the other hand, claimed she is deeply hurt by the protesters' remarks, calling abusive and a liar. "In my whole life," she said, "it's only now somebody said that I'm a liar!"
Dabu also said the charges they filed last Monday drew a lot of reaction from many people. "Many reacted and asked why we filed charges only now," she said.
She said she has had enough of the protesters hard-hitting statements against her, which she describes as "below the belt." She added that she has long been contemplating on filing cases against the protesters but was only persuaded by the governor to keep her peace.
"They have been hitting on my family and my family is already getting affected," Dabu said.
The Balas boys remain steadfast on their protest despite the complaint filed against them, vowing to heighten their call and install new streamers directed at the capitol executives. They said: "we would not retreat, we would not surrender."
Syquia said they have the right to express themselves as protesters.
"They have the right to file a case, but they (Dabu and Panlilio) should remember that we are in a rally and these things are bound to happen," he said in vernacular.
Syquia also expressed his worry on why it took the Capitol such a long time to file a case. He added that things could not have "gotten big" if only Panlilio had listened and acted on the issues regarding Dabu.
"How could they govern the province well if they would slap anyone who criticizes them with criminal charges?" Syquia added.
Asked if they have gone overboard with the statements they have hurled against Panlilio, De Leon said: "I don't think what we did is too much. We've been here for a long time and they still haven't done anything."
On the accusation of Panlilio and Dabu that they have been creating alarm and scandal, De Leon said even Capitol employees are amused with the noises they have been making in front of the Arnedo Park.
"If we don't speak up, what kind of rally will that be? It wouldn't have come to this point if the Governor had done something," De Leon added, stressing that they will face the cases filed against them and will confer with their lawyers upon receipt of the complaint. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (October 8, 2008 issue)
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