Thursday, July 03, 2008 Panlilio to Guiao: 'Let's talk' By Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Governor Eddie Panlilio is extending "an open invitation" to his detractors and critics to discuss alleged lapses and allegations on his administration.
"I am open to discussing all the issues, but the manner on how to discuss them is not yet clear to me. But I'm open to discuss all of these," Panlilio said.
Panlilio's reaction came after the Provincial Board (PB) disproved his claims on accomplished infrastructure projects. The PB also criticized him for blaming the legislative body for the executive department's still unapproved budgetary requests for various projects.
Vice Governor Joseller Guiao also defended the action of the PB on the still pending request of the governor. He added that these requests would have been considered had Panlilio properly justified his requests.
Guiao said they have approved a considerable number of the governor's initial requests.
He said the PB had approved at least seven resolutions releasing P58,852,720 to the executive department and four ordinances allowing the use of P51,703, 383.
But Panlilio said he is batting for the approval of other important budget for his administration. Among these he said was the Scholarship Funds that the PB.
"Classes have already started for a month. Our scholars have done all they could to stay in school. What more justification do they need of us?" Panlilio said.
The governor added that the supplemental budget for the employees under salary Grade I should be approved to augment the current pay received by employees.
Panlilio said he can prove to the mayors, PB and his critics that he has done considerable accomplishments in his administration.
"We have a list of our accomplishments, currently we have built 20 kilometers of road for towns here," Panlilio said, adding that education, health and social services were also addressed by his administration.
He said all of such accomplishments could be discussed to the PB and the Pampanga Mayors League (PML).
When asked about the challenge made by Guiao that he should resign if found to have "lapses" in his governance, Panlilio said: "I will not resign, he (Guiao) could resign if he wants but I will not resign."
Panlilio said he is serious in his offer for discussion. He said he might also be open to the prospect of making it open to the public.
