Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Mapiles: Ed-Yeng face-off By Joel P. Mapiles Soft Touch & Views
THE solid move of the Provincial Board (PB) in blocking the confirmation of the two top ladies at the Capitol recently through 13-0 votes is apparently a big slap on the face of Governor Eddie Panlilio, as his leadership style seems not effective in courting the taste of the PB.
This 13-0 votes by the PB members who represent the voice of the majority in their respective districts sent a strong message to the Kapampangans that the Governor is politically wrong in choosing Atty. Vivian Dabu and Atty. Maria Eliza Velez for the positions, even as it was rumored that their academic credentials are far excellent.
Perhaps Among Gov is not inclined to give weight to the moral, attitudinal, ethical questions of the critics of his appointees as it seems that he is clearly blind to their reported negative sides. He only sees their good points. Hence, he once told the press that they enjoy his radical, total, fundamental and complete trust and confidence.
The PB gave more credence to the not-so-bad attitudes of the two top appointees. It seems that there will be a stalemate at the Capitol as Vice Governor Yeng Guiao told the press that the PB will never recognize the positions and official functions of the two as they have categorically deferred their confirmations.
However, the Governor insisted that the two are already confirmed as the 15-day reglamentary period has already lapsed. Among claimed they are technically and legally confirmed.
Governor, please understand that governance is more on dealing with various publics -- poor, rich, downtrodden, marginalized, militants, sensitive, people with selfish interests, business and caused oriented, media, among others.
These variety of people will never ask the credentials of those who transact with them. They are more particular on how they are treated. Will they be treated like kings or animals?
The Capitol goers will surely be curious on whether these trusted few are arrogant or not, selfish or not, adelentada or not, bastos or not, arrogant or not. If one falls in one of these bad characters, he or she will surely become the "talk of the town" and an eyesore at the Capitol.
But in this particular case, those who got hurt first with the unusual actuations of these two lady lawyers were the elected board members. These honorable board members were insulted and damned in their own August Hall.
After watching the face off between Among Ed and Yeng over a local television channel, I want to give Among Gov the benefit of the doubt. He believes that he sees the bigger picture of provincial governance while he is blind to little things such as the sensitivity of the people he works with. Let us admit he has his own style of governance.
I spot it that he wants governance to circulate in his own hands while being held hostage by his trusted few.
Hence, whether the Governor admits it or not, he is inviting mess, not peace. Is he a troublemaker, or a troubleshooter? He insists that what he thinks is technically right even it is politically wrong for his administration. It seems that all his requests, orders and decisions emanate from these trusted two who continuously fail to get the nod and "amor" of the PB and majority of their colleagues at the Capitol.
May I take this opportunity to remind Among Ed that he is not just a governor, he is forever a priest in the minds of the Kapampangans. Please act and talk like an effective governor and more of a priest to fit yourself in the high expectations of the Kapampangans. Remember that the Kapampangans believe that you are anchoring your governance on high moral grounds.
Let the PB perform its responsibility of providing a check and balance in your administration. Stop citing as an example the "separated husband and wife" who continuously take care of their children. In the first place, it's a bad example because the Lord prohibits divorce. You're a priest, remember. Amen?
I hope everything will be fixed in the proper perspective. I believe that Among Ed still has big chance to prove his worth as a good Kapampangan leader. Don't fail the expectation of the almost 1/3 of the electorate who voted for you.
Do your best, Among Gov because you're bringing the name of your ministry in your quest for good governance, call for unity and sobriety for Pampanga's socio-moral-economic prosperity. Your failure will be their loss. Your success is their triumph. Good luck and God bless.
If you have any suggestion or comment, email the author at joeley01@yahoo.com.
