Saturday, October 04, 2008 Apung Cetu urged: Tell Sacop 'secret'
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Conscience chairperson Lolita Hizon urged Archbishop Paciano Baniceto to reveal a "secret" in connection with the alleged mismanagement of funds of the Social Action Center of Pampanga (Sacop) under the watch of Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio.
"Had the Archbishop revealed the 'secret' during the gubernatorial campaign of Panilio, we would not have supported him and he would not have won," Hizon, the governor's top campaign financier, said on CLTV 36 "Hamon sa Central Luzon" on Thursday night.
Hizon, who presided over the signing of the recall move against Panlilio by Conscience Thursday morning, said Sacop funds were reported missing when the priest-governor was still managing the Center.
"The archbishop knew about it but he did not disclose it to the public," Hizon said.
According to Hizon, a certain Willie Vergara may have been involved in the missing funds but also held Panlilio accountable as the head of the Sacop at the time.
"The extent of Panlilio's accountability should be established," Hizon said.
Hizon earlier wrote to Aniceto to inquire if Panlilio was still a priest after he became governor of Pampanga.
The archbishop however did not answer her query.
As this developed, Hizon reiterated during the talk show that the civil society committed a big blunder in supporting Panlilio's candidacy.
"We were blinded by his priesthood," Hizon admitted when pressed by host John Susi as to why they threw their support behind Panlilio's candidacy for governor.
The outspoken businesswoman also described Panlilio as having no natural inclination for compassion and charity.
"Maybe because he's a priest, and because priests know how to accept, and not give," she said.
Hizon, who is believed to have donated millions to Panlilio's campaign kitty, had said previously that she was willing to testify on the perjury charge filed against the governor in connection with his alleged wrong declaration of campaign donation and expenses to the Commission on Election.
