Monday, September 22, 2008 Editorial: The whole truth
BUSINESSMAN Rene Romero has demanded a full-disclosure from Governor Eddie Panlilio on the matter of the former's alleged proposal for a P3-million electronic business permit licensing system project for the Provincial Government.
Romero, who has parted ways with the governor whom he fully supported in his gubernatorial campaign, said Panlilio was misleading the public.
Based on reports, Panlilio said their relationship soured after he rejected Romero's proposal. It appeared that Panlilio turned down Romero's project for fear of going to jail.
What Panlilio has so far revealed on this matter is serious enough. When a public official is risking imprisonment for approving a project, it could only be concluded that the project is illegal. And it may be illegal because it may involve corruption.
In what form and to what extent, we do not know. But such nasty perception along that line is inescapable.
Which explains Romero's earnest demand or Panlilio's complete revelation as his apparently incomplete version so far leaves so much in the interest of truth and, we say, fairness.
We cannot certainly approximate the damage, if any, in terms of public perception, Panlilio's latest revelation has inflicted on Romero, an acclaimed business leader not only in Pampanga but in Central Luzon.
Romero's caustic reaction itself also placed Panlilio in bad light.
The businessman described the priest's action as unethical and stopped short of labeling him as liar by faulting him for his omission which Romero took as tantamount to lying.
Exactly, what that omission was, only Romero and Panlilio know.
Romero could have disclosed it immediately after Panlilio went to town with his intriguing tale. Instead, he passed the ball to the governor who could have told it all, in the first place, assuming Romero was right about his facts -- the whole truth and nothing but the truth -- of the scuttled project.
So will the governor be responsible enough, please, and oblige Romero, and the public?
