TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A national organization of provincial board members is steering clear of a campaign by Pampanga members to oust their priest-turned-governor, Ed Panlilio, through a recall petition.
The Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines (PBMLP) refused to pass a resolution to support the recall bid during a three-day meeting, which ended here on Sunday.
But its president, Board Member Pearl Angeli Pacada of Tarlac, said she was supporting the process of recall itself as an acceptable option for the people, as stated in the Local Government Code.
Pampanga Board Member Tarcicio Halili admitted on Saturday that his group had asked for the league's help.“But may I clarify also that we are not only seeking support from the league on our recall petition against him but also for the league to support the process of recall regardless of the (personalities) involved,” he said.
The campaign for a recall petition against Panlilio was initiated by the Kapanalig at Kambilan neng Memalen Pampanga Inc. (Kambilan), citing loss of confidence in the governor's leadership.
“There is no problem with us or to me personally on supporting the process of recall because it is there in our Local Government Code. But regarding their petition, I don't think the league should be a part of it,” Pacada said.
Board Members Eric Salazar of Nueva Ecija and Cesar Alonde of Agusan del Sur were more straightforward.
“That is their problem. They should not drag us,” Salazar said, whose governor, Aurelio Umali, almost faced a recall petition that was nipped in the bud.
Alonde noted that legislators from Mindanao had other more important concerns, referring to the ongoing fighting between government troops and Moro separatist rebels that already displaced thousands of civilians.
“And besides, we don't really know the real situation in Pampanga. All the information that we have are through the media,” he added.
Leyte Board Member Carlo Loreto expressed support for the recall petition against Panlilio. While acknowledging that he was not fully aware of the situation in Pampanga, he said the recall petition was allowed under the law.
Loreto said he sympathized with the members of the provincial board whose authority and power were not respected by their governor. He cited Halili's statement that Panlilio had bypassed the provincial board in many instances, such as the appointment of lawyer Vilma Datu as provincial administrator.
“He (Panlilio) never consults us in so many issues. And in my case, since we assumed office, I have only met him five or six times,” Halili said. /Inquirer |
