Saturday, July 21, 2007 Pampanga media seek ouster of prov’l administrator By Marna H. Dagumboy
* Snub fellowship dinner with Among Ed
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Pampanga media groups on Friday held a protest rally in from of the Provincial Capitol to call for the ouster of Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu.
All wearing red-shirts as a sign of protest the rally march started from the Heroes Hall, proceeding with a noise barrage while walking to the Executive House where Governor Eddie Panlilio was delivering the quarry shares of the towns of Bacolor, Sta. Rita, Porac, Floridablanca, Lubao and Mabalacat.
The rally was joined by local media groups Pampanga Press Club (PPC), Society of Pampanga Columnists, Central Luzon Media Association, Angeles City Press and Radio Club, Camp Olivas Press Society, and Capitol Press Club.
All these groups stood firm in their demand to oust Dabu from the Capitol.
However, during a dialogue with the media Panlilio told the media groups to give Dabu a chance to prove her worth, adding “I cannot grant your request with regards your call for her resignation.”
Panlilio said he wants Dabu to prove her worth as Provincial Administrator despite insistence of the members of the fourth estate to remove her from office after treating them of “discrimination and arrogance” specifically during Panlilio’s inauguration at the capitol were some of the members of the local media were barred to cover the event.
But, PPC President Diosdado Pangilinan said that they will remain in their stand to demand the ouster of Dabu and vowed that the media group will question her appointment before the members of Provincial Board.
Pangilinan also assured Panlilio of support in his advocacies in Pampanga, but not Dabu.
For his part, Panlilio apologized to the local media for whatever misgivings by his staff and assured that incidents will not happen again.
The governor said he has always been open to the media since the campaign until he was elected.
The members of the local press reached the second floor of the provincial capitol leading to the executive house until they were met by Economic Affairs adviser Vince Dizon and Public Information Officer Dalsa Hizon.
Dizon told the group that Panlilio will come out to talk to them, but the local press instead left and proceeded to Max’s Restaurant for their lunch.
Local press also snubbed Panlilio’s scheduled Media Fellowship at the Benigno Aquino Hall instead they rallied for Dabu’s resignation at the Capitol.
