City of San Fernando – “Build your mass base now!”

IN FOCUS

Taking Oath. Governnor-elect Ed "Among" Panlilio took his oath of office in June 30Photo by Pokus-GL.

This was how Roman Polintan, Regional Coordinator of Bayan Muna Partylist for Central Luzon counseled the newly-elected Pampanga governor Ed ‘Among’ Panlilio as his induction to office drew varied reactions from the province’s different sectors.

“We urge Governor of to do this right away, three years is not a long time.”

While the three thousand or so supporters who attended Gov. Panlilio’s oath to office last June 30 were closed to tears as they waved open hands of hope in front of the capitol building while singing Himno Capampangan, the event also drew censure from many members of the local media who were dealt what they term as “hypocritical treatment” from a small circle around the governor while covering the event.

Policy direction

“While a section of the business community not friendly to Gov. Panlilio had been waiting for him to pronounce his policy directions past what they term as vision statements, there are those who support him based mainly on his avowed crusade, and those who chose to keep a guarded optimism,” said a big restaurateur here who requested not to be named.

Right on the capitol halls all those who won had President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s blessing: the Vice Governor is from the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi); while of the 10 who won the provincial board seats three are from the Lakas ng Masa -Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), and the rest are Kampi.

Of the 20 elected Mayors 11 are Kampi and nine are Lakas-CMD. Of the four congressional district representatives two are from Lakas-CMD; one is from Kampi; and the last one is from the Nacionalista Party.

Less than a week prior to Gov. Panlilio’s oath to office a kink have already sprouted between the office of Vice-governor Joseller Guiao over a project set in place under the term of the then out-going Governor Mark Lapid.

While Gov. Panlilio himself has neither professed that he will be a pro nor an anti-Arroyo governor, only three Mayors; a Vice Mayor and a congressman attended his oath taking.

Minority governor

IN FOCUS

Supporters. Supporters gather at governor-elect Ed "Among" Panlilio's oath-taking in June 30. Photo by Pokus-GL.

Polintan who also chairs the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN Central Luzon) interjected: “The police were quick in dismissing the killings of supporters as not election related or political vendetta. Even the reported death and bomb threats against Gov. Panlilio and his staffs are greeted by some with raised eyebrows.”

“But we from the cause-oriented are not surprised with the mixed reactions the governor gets particularly on the onset of his watch. After all he is a minority governor” he added.

Based on local news reports, only about 60% or roughly 679,000 of the 1,131,627 registered voters of the province participated in the last elections. Thus, Gov. Panlilio’s winning score of 219,706 is but 19% or so of the province’s total electorate.

Empowerment

“Yet this 19% worked hard to empower Gov. Panlilio, he should therefore work hard to empower them, draw strength from them and face those who wish for him to fail,” Polintan posited.

“The masses of Pampanga delivered more than 38,000 votes to progressive partylists like Bayan Muna, AnakPawis, Gabriela, Kabataan and Suara Bangsa Moro. Governor Panlilio can reach us out,” he further said.

“If there is a section of Pampanga’s electorate who’s willing to draw a political and moral line on the issues the province faces, these people can and always will. He can be sure we voted for him,” Polintan closed.