by Harvey S. Keh
Contributor
LAST August 21, a group calling itself Kambilan formally launched a movement to recall Gov. Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga. The group aims to gather at least 100,000 signatures from registered voters in Pampanga and submit it to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as part of its petition to call for a recall election sometime next year.
When Gov. Panlilio was asked about this move to recall him, he said that this move is politically motivated and was initiated by people closely linked with Lilia Pineda, a former board member who ran and lost to Gov. Panlilio during the last election. Lilia Pineda is also the wife of alleged jueteng kingpin, Bong Pineda. Moreover, Gov. Panlilio said that this movement to recall him is a consequence of his recent filing of plunder charges against Bong Pineda for his alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations in Pampanga.
(Editor’s note: Here’s an actual video of Gov. Panlilio reacting to the recall petition taken by INQUIRER.net reporter Abigail Kwok).
As result, civil society groups in Pampanga along with Kaya Natin! recently released statements of support to Gov. Eddie Panlilio. In the statement of Kapampangan Marangal Inc., one of the largest civil society groups in Pampanga, it mentioned that they reject any moves to recall Gov. Panlilio but at the same time they also recommended that Gov. Panlilio improve his way of governing the province to ensure checks and balance especially when it comes to the concentration of responsibilities and power to the Provincial Administrator. Kaya Natin! A Movement for Genuine Change and Ethical Leadership led by Ramon Magsaysay Awardees for Government Service, Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City and Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela also urged Kapampangans to allow Gov. Panlilio to finish his term and wait until the 2010 elections.
Last August 26, an online petitiion to reject the movement to recall Gov. Panlilio was launched and since then almost 1,000 online signatures have already been gathered. The online petition can be found here.
October 18th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
help us raise funds to defend among ed on the recall petition file against him. kailangan po ng pampanga and suporta ninyong lahat upang mangibabaw ang kabutihan sa aming probinsya. Muli po, ngayon pa lamang ay nagpapasalamat na kami sa ano mang tulong na maipapaabot nyo sa Pampanga. Luid po kayong lahat!!! contact us at kasaup.pampanga@yahoo.com
October 18th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Among Ed, suportahan da ca pa rin!
Among Ed may not be a perfect leader/governor of Pampanga, but I still believe that God placed him at his office to pave the way for new brand of politics, so that the real leader that will lead us to progress ca compete with the trapos. Among Ed is the catalyst to change the mindset of our people, up lift their dignity and selfwort, thus giving them arms to fight for patronage politics…
We have hope, and now that Among Ed is being demonized by these TRAPOS, let stand up again and fight what is morally right!
Manalakaran tamu Pampanga!
October 17th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
luid ya i among ed panlilio metung a mayap a tau, go among kya dka gigipitan uling istu mu ing kekang gagawan, busten mu la den. isundu ing panyulung.we need a man like you now.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:33 am
A person can and will do anything for the sake of his own interest. Politics start at home sabi da pin. Ing tune pamagbayu magsimula ya king king sarili tamu. If we are really concern to our country let’s support like Among Ed who wants to heal our sick country.
My family and I support Among.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Here in Canada, we are supporting Among Ed through prayers.
Among, you are the new Moses to lead your people from slavery of materialism. You must be the examples of more “Moses” in the Philippines. Many of us here will be back to support you. God bless the Philippines.