Monday, December 31, 2007 Critic undecided on support to recall plot
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- "I will just cross the bridge when I get there," answered Lolita Hizon, a former supporter who became Governor Eddie Panlilio's critic, when asked if she would back the rumored recall plot against the priest-turned-politician.
The statement of Hizon is probably the most lukewarm from the meat-processing magnate, who has recently directly assailed Panlilio's alleged "incompetence" in running the affairs of the province.
This came amid spreading rumors that a recall proceeding is being concocted by Panlilio's rivals and will start to take form early January.
Hizon, who chairs the advocacy group Citizen's Organization for Unity, Support, Critical Initiative and Community Empowerment (Conscience), had been one of the top supporters of Panlilio in the last May election where he beat candidates who wielded well-oiled political machineries.
Just recently, the founder of meat-processing firm giant Pampanga's best, aired her disenchantment on the leadership of Panlilio.
"People like him (Panlilio) have no right to lead Pampanga," she was quoted as saying in her recent interviews with the media.
Political observers say that a recall move against Panlilio might work against the incumbent governor since most of the elected officials in Pampanga are not actually happy with the provincial leadership.
The Local Government Code (LGC) states that a recall may be initiated by a preparatory recall assembly or by the registered voters of the local government unit to which the local elective official being subjected for recall belongs.
For the provincial level, all mayors, vice mayors, and council members of the municipalities and component cities under the province may constitute the preparatory recall assembly (PRA).
A majority of all the PRA members may convene in session in a public place and initiate a recall proceeding against any elective official in the local government unit concerned.
Recall of provincial, city, or municipal officials should be validly initiated through a resolution adopted by a majority of all the members of the PRA concerned during its session called for the purpose.
Recall of any elective provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official may also be validly initiated upon petition of at least 25 percent of the total number of registered voters in the LGU concerned during the election in which the local official sought to be recalled was elected.
The PRA, in the session assembled, should first pass a resolution, duly approved by majority of its members, petitioning for the conduct of a recall proceeding.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should then check the validity of the resolution or petition and set the election on recall within the next 45 days from the filing of the valid resolution. Any elective local official may be the subject of a recall election only once during his term of office for loss of confidence and such should only be carried out after one year from the date of the official's assumption to office or one year immediately preceding a regular local election. (Albert B. Lacanlale)
