Monday, August 25, 2008 Groups divided on recall move vs Panlilio By Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Former supporters and civil society groups once allied with Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio are divided on the issue on whether or not to support the recall move against the priest-turned-governor.
Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) president Renato Romero on Sunday said civil society groups are divided on the issue as some groups are more inclined to ask for the governor's resignation.
He said the resignation call however would only come if the governor fails to remove Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu. The governor was also asked to administer "reforms" in provincial affairs.
"We are divided. Some are in favor of the recall while others still do not want to sacrifice the governor for the recall or the resignation," Romero said, adding that some still want the governor to stay.
But Romero said his group supports both the resignation call and recall move against Panlilio.
"We are in support of the call for Panlilio's resignation because if he resigns so will Dabu... Whoever sits as governor, we will still continue our advocacy for good governance," Romero said.
He belied television reports that he turned against Panlilio because the priest-turned-governor had rejected the favors he asked for.
"I have helped him in his campaign with my family but never did we ask any favors from him. What we were advancing were legitimate programs for Pampanga's development. These programs were rejected and our information has it that it is Dabu who is behind the rejection," Romero said.
"The governor has stolen the crusade for good governance and has left out the civil society out of the picture," Romero added.
On the other hand, the civil society group Kapampangan Marangal, Incorporated (KMI) has rejected the recall move against Panlilio. The group said it is calling for reforms and not to remove Panlilio from his post "at this point in time."
"We strongly reject the recall initiative filed against Governor Panlilio at this point. A year after the elections, we are just beginning to heal the wounds of divisions through dialogues and peaceful negotiations. Holding a divisive political exercise so soon will only re-open the yet unhealed wounds and undermine efforts for Pampanga's progress," the KMI said.
KMI said they are asking political leaders and the rest of the people to give peace and unity a chance.
It added that KMI respects the mandate the people have accorded Panlilio.
"We respect the mandate that the people have accorded Panlilio in the same way that we respect the mandate given to Vice-Governor Joseller Guiao, the members of the Provincial Board (PB) and the rest of Pampanga's duly-elected officials," it said.
Last Thursday, the Kapanalig at Kambilan Ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) launched the recall move against Panlilio at Max's Restaurant here.
The group, led by former board member Rosve Henson, vowed to obtain the signature of at least 10 percent of the voting population of Pampanga and to submit them to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the recall move to prosper.
The province reportedly has about 98,800 registered voters.
The protesting former members of the Biyaya A Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas) who are still holding picket in front of the Capitol on the other hand said they would rather call for the resignation of Panlilio than support the recall move against him.
They explained that a call for resignation will only be issued by the group if reforms are not instituted in the capitol.
