Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Limlingan: Face-off By DP Limlingan The Advocate
THE recent spate of exchanging pleasantries and unpleasantries within the Provincial Capitol halls has gained grounds when time stood still at least for the two camps. This was the first dialogue between the Executive and the Legislative of the province of Pampanga since the start of the friction that seemingly refuses to wither.
The intention was right. The aim was good. The target is to thresh out the differences and bring out the sakit ng loob between Gov. Ed and the members of the Provincial Board (PB). I admire the former for making the first move. I admire more Tatang Yeng (Vice-Governor Roseller Guiao) for accepting the gesture. It takes two to achieve lasting peace; it takes only one to make the first step.
Many were expectant and hopeful that at the end of the day, everything will be fine. More than many are asking for the sincerity of Governor Ed in starting the ball rolling. As a priest, he should have practice one of the priestly virtues and that is humility. He did it albeit some groups put Governor's sincerity in question.
Last Friday's amicable dialogue turned out to be fine. Tatang Yeng broke the ice when he asked the Governor on what has the latter contributed for the province and if the PB has its deficiencies. Governor in his retort stated of what seemed to be an accomplishment report.
A very emotional and evidently hurt member of the PB, a fighter and pro-poor advocate, Tatang Cris (BM Cris Garbo), came to a point of advising Governor to somehow make some moves so that men in abitos will not blame the PB for mistakes and pleaded not to look down or small, and humiliate our legislators. Governor insisted that it's the by-product of miscommunication.
There came the juncture to tackle money matters. The Governor bragged about the funds that the PB receives. The latter denied.
Governor was questioned as to how many projects were implemented for the past seven months. To his answer, he said that everything were into process that includes the bidding and other procurement requirements and that everything is above board according to law. Thirsting for answers, our dads asked on why other provinces have implemented so many projects unlike Pampanga.
On the issue of non-confirmation of the two lady lawyers, PB members stood firm of their non-recognition to the alleged confirmation.
They asked the Governor on why he failed to attend budget hearings, he answered an apology.
A matter that took so many arguments was the issue on quarrying. On the side was the much talked Provincial Ordinance 176. Tatang Yeng in his fighting form, asked the Governor on why so many occasions of the public hearing at the PB, of the controversial ordinance that he failed to show up only in the end that the Governor will just veto the same.
Another matter tackled was the promise of Governor to quarry workers of their overtime and night differential pays. He was point-blankly told that he failed to coordinate the same to the PB as to the funds appropriation. As a manifesto of cooperation, amity and openness, our dads approved at that instance the budget for night differential and overtime.
Perhaps in his effort to get out of the quagmire of endless questions and tirades by the Board, the Governor politely made a plea for understanding and made a lame excuse that he was used to his 26 years of priesthood.
Tatang Cris Garbo in a sigh, intimated the need for Governor to treat them with a semblance of respect and that proper protocol should be observed.
On the quarry issue, Governor blamed the law of supply and demand that made the quarry revenues collections so low for the past recent months, including the flooding of quarry operations sites. Add to that is the prevailing boundary dispute that involves the province. The BMs (board members) were not satisfied ending in questions of the "bareta" issue and the tearing of official receipts.
For so many times, the Governor faced a blank wall. His talks were full of gobbledygooks. We rather appreciate the cake inside instead of the icing in his words. He was pushed to the limits with unlimited questions on what was happening between him and the PB. While some saw sincerity in him, many were displeased. Questions were said to have been left to still be questions until now. We can't afford to have false pretensions and false repentance. Since they both manifested their "sama ng loobs", we hope for a real and genuine reconciliation and reforms to their indifferences. Tatang Yeng, as the steward of righteousness and the command in the PB, was all vindicated in his advocacies for true good governance. His fighting stance and very logical rationale backed-up by sincere efforts of ironing out what needs to be, has gained admirers. They should be aware of the fact na anggiang pang I Governor tatalan yang espada, ila naman tatalnan de ing pitaka. We hope for the peaceful resolve as we hope for the best for the kapampangans.
