Monday, September 01, 2008 Editorial: Of autocracy, mobocracy and sanctity
WHO wants Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu out of the Capitol? The members of the Provincial Board, the members of the Pampanga Mayors' League (and probably the other town officials), the resigned staff of Gov. Eddie Panlilio, his former major financial backers, the sacked members of Balas, and some members of civil society groups.
Who wants Dabu to stay in her post? The reverend governor (and probably some of his still loyal supporters).
It's apparently a case of a strongman against the persuasive mob. Of course, depending on who you're talking to, a strongman may be described as a person with strength of character or an illogically hardheaded person. The mob, on the other hand, may be described as a multitude of rational people who have an equally rational goal or a group of dissimilar folks united by the same politically oriented purpose.
Will Panlilio give in to the demand of his former staff, supporters, and the protesting Balas Boys by asking Dabu, his most trusted official in the Capitol, to resign?
"Definitely, not!" was his recent response to the question. Willpower or plain hardheadedness?
Balas Boys and their supporters, for their part, have vowed to continue their 24/7 protest actions as long as Dabu remains as the provincial administrator, adding that they might eventually ask for Panlilio's resignation if he fails to institute the "reforms" they demand. Praiseworthy perseverance or blackmail?
There seems to be only one remedy for the gradually crumbling foundations of the House of Panlilio: A bloodless human sacrifice in the person of lawyer Vivian Dabu.
But the priest doesn't believe in "paganistic" ways, especially if the sacrifice involves something or someone precious.
Unlike Abraham who willingly laid his only son Isaac to the altar in Mount Moriah as a sacrifice, Panlilio, it seems, would rather hold on to what he deems as invaluable and would not regard the voices of his former followers as the voice of God.
We've been asked this: What makes Dabu a "sacred" being whom Panlilio cannot afford to forego? Of course, only the reverend governor can answer this. Perhaps he can also answer the allegation that he is just a symbolic leader in an administration actually being led by the administrator.
It isn't easy to judge which of the contending sides – minus personal grudges and improper impositions – has the more meritorious case. One thing is sure, though. Pampanga will not move forward with the seemly unending bickering between and among the political and social leaders of the province.
