Monday, December 18, 2006 Mapiles: 'Nanay' Baby Pineda for governor By Joel P. Mapiles View From The Bottom
BOARD Member Baby Pineda is not just a baby. She now plays the role a mother or "Nanay" not just to her family, town and her district but also to almost the entire people of Pampanga.
Majority of the mayors lamented that they serve their constituents without the guidance and leadership of the so-called "father" of the province -- Governor Mark Lapid.
"Anggiang agyu miyang paunlaran deng balen mi, aliwa ya pa rin nung atin kang indu king probinsiya a mamie manantabe at gagabe keka," the mayors were heard as saying.
Mark could not -- after all -- play the role of a "father" because literally he has no children of his own. He is still a bachelor who enjoys life and fame with his peers or "dabarkads".
"Kaya siguro hindi niya feel na makinig sa mga mayors dahil hindi niya nararamdaman ang hinaing ng mga anak sa kanilang ama," they said.
Naturally, the reaction of the neglected children is to look or search for someone who could listen and attend to their needs, problems and grievances with utmost care and sincerity through regular open communication and consultation.
The province-long search for a parent is now finally over. They have found "Nanay Baby" as their guidance counselor; mother and their true leader who truly cares for the plight of the masses. One literal example I heard from indigent Vangie Balatbat from Arayat,
"Nung masakit ya ing anak mu at grabe ya Ospital, munta ka office ng Gov. Mark. Dinan dakang P200-500. (Map kasi dininan naka) Pero kang 'Nanay Baby', anggiang ali naka kadistrito, sisiguraduan ng milual ka king Ospital. Para kaku yang tune pengari ning Probinsiyang Kapampangan."
The news about the move of the majority of the mayors to urge "Nanay Baby" to positively respond to public clamor to serve as the next governor of Pampanga in 2007 is spreading like wildfire. Through this, they said the 12 unproductive years of living in despair would be brought to an end.
Talaga yatang ali na ko bisa? Sobra na wari? Ustu na ba? Mag-adwa ya pang banua sinawa na ko pin? I kayu talaga! Okey kayu ha!
The Kapampangan people led by majority of the mayors had set a series of "People's Multi-Sectoral Consultations" to inform and consult the people about the more than 12 years in office of the Lapids in the Capitol.
The overwhelming response of the masses during the people's consultations attended separately by thousands of barangay leaders initially held in Magalang, Floridablanca and Candaba recently seemed to indicate that the Kapampangans are craving for a change in leadership at the Capitol.
It was also observed that there is insistent public demand for "Nanay Baby" to fill the leadership vacuum in Pampanga. They believe that "Nanay Baby" whom they believe as a strong leader who has the capacity and maturity to unite and lead Pampanga towards real progress and development, as they claim that the incumbent governor has no clear thrusts and directions for the province.
The people learned that all crucial decisions for the development of the province emanate only from the pleasure of the Lapid family and few "dabarkads." Hence, Mark has not even once convened the Provincial Development Council to talk about socio-economic development.
Majority of the mayors claimed that they are in the dark on what direction the governor would bring this province through his toy cars with photos and names of the Lapids seem to be bigger than the engines.
.Nung agyu da pang misadsad deng Lapid este reng toy cars.
The people claim that the only destination awaiting us under Mark is either at the "kangkungan" or in "kamotehan".
Ing kangkong- puwede meng igisa. Ing kamote- ilaga mu niya, kumabsi naka, mangapalatut ka pa. Hay, buhay!
This is the main reason why we cannot blame the majority of the mayors if they are now steadfast and strongly firm in their decision to push Baby Pineda to challenge Mark Lapid in a friendly and cordial one-on-one gubernatorial battle in May 2007 elections to give the Kapampangans a better choice for good governance.
At this point in time, Mark cannot totally heal the wounds and restore the damage of his administration as the people are now well informed on the real stories behind the stories of his governance. All stories are suggesting that there is a need for a change and for a new leadership. All stories are asking, "Ala na waring aliwa puweding manungkulan keng probinsiyang Kapampangan?"
Before, the Provincial Government was saying that there is no need to coordinate the provincial projects -- big or small -- to the mayors. Kasi sabi daw niya nanghihingi ang mga mayors.
The mayors replied, "Paano kang manghihingi, pagdating ng proyekto 60% na lang kinaltasan na? Iyong 100 trucks na panambak iparereceive sa kapitan pero 20 lang pala idineliber."
Tutu kaya ini? I think the governor has the responsibility to shed light on these things.
In the face of all these, there is one Kapampangan call in a loud voice.
Pamagbayu king liderato, pamagbayu king Kapitolyo. Twelve years is enough. Enough is enough!
If you have any comments, please email the author at joeley01@yahoo.com.
