Saturday, November 18, 2006 Mapiles: Mayors light hope for Pampanga By Joel P. Mapiles View from the Bottom
THE Kapampangans who monitor the day-to-day turn of events in Pampanga speculate that the body language of the majority of the Pampanga mayors for the past few days seemed to show that they are apparently dissatisfied with the more than two years and four months rule of Governor Mark Lapid. Are they right my dear mayors?
Our kabalens view that most of the Pampanga mayors now are short of saying the governor has no sense of direction for the province and can be comparable to a flimsy leader as they noted that Pampanga now needs a strong leadership at the provincial level that can guide and complement the united effort of the municipal executives. This was highly emphasized in the press release of the mayors during their very recent "presscon".
It can be noted the majority of the mayors (minus four such as Mayors Chito Espino, Marino Morales, Teddy Tumang and Bobong Flores as reported) lighted lanterns of hope as symbolic expression of their optimism that Pampanga has full potentials to achieve its goals when given clear direction for development through the collective efforts of the Provincial Government and the municipal chief executives.
Did the governor fail to regularly meet the mayors for consultation? How about the Provincial Development Council? Nag convene na ba 'yan? Did the Governor fail to give this kapampangan kingdom clear direction for development? If this is true, where are we going? Are we going to "kangkungan" or to a large plantation of "camote"? Are we living in despair? "Ali naman siguro, ali ba?" Whether these issues are true or simply products of wild imagination, I think the Governor should meditate, think about it and start to initiate reforms.
The mayors are also saying that "there is no turning back". Did they mean that they are now prepared to collide with the proven popularity of the Lapids? We know for a fact that there are still many of us -- kapampangans who remember and count not the number of impact projects of the Lapids for the province but we are more familiar with the number of blockbuster movies which starred the Lapids and the showbiz "tsismis" that involve the name of either the father or the son. Hence, we could say that if the mayors are true to their words that they won't turn back, they are launching the greatest challenge of their life -- challenging the movie idols with proven record of winnability.
However, I don't know why most of the kapampangans believed that Governor Mark did not gain the seat in the Capitol by his group alone. I always heard people from all walks of life as saying that the x-factor in Mark's winning last May 2004 elections is not his popularity or that of his father, but the most important endorsement of the respected people from the second district -- The Pinedas. "Is that real or just a myth?
Knowing all of these facts in Pampanga politics, the Pampanga mayors are reported to have formed and bonded into one local party affiliated to KAMPI that will campaign only for candidates endorsed by the Pampanga Mayors League (PML). That means, the mayors are only committed to those who believe in the visions and missions of the league.
At this early, Vice Governor Yeng Guiao has expressed eagerness to support the visions and missions of the league particularly in pushing tangible and concrete plans of actions for the development of the Province which would employ the active involvement of the municipal governments.
This was also noted in the league's press materials.
Does it mean that the mayors' league will also support the Vice Governor come next election? Is it true that Board Member Lilia "Baby" Pineda, mother of the league's president is being pushed to tandem with Yeng. I think if this happens - Baby-Yeng's tandem, we will have a very exciting race for the Capitol seat. Who would be the next king or queen of this Kapampangan kingdom? The entry of the x-factor is much awaited in the race for the Capitol seat as the people see it as the most exciting one-on-one fight in Pampanga. Governor, these are just issues and questions for you to ponder.
If you have any comments, just text at 0921-519-92-23 or email me at joeley01@yahoo.com
