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Padaca’s group urges
Pampanga folk: Reject
recall-Panlilio move
By Ding Cervantes
Philstar
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga
– Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca,
Ramon Magsaysay awardee for
government service, and other lo-
cal officials who have formed the
group Kaya Natin! have called on
Pampanga folk to reject the move
to recall Gov. Eddie Panlilio from
his post.
This, as the recall initiative seems
to have triggered a war of signa-
tures.
As of noon yesterday, Panlilio’s
supporters who launched an online
signature campaign (ipetitions.com)
had already garnered 1,228 digital
signatures. Among the signatories
identified themselves as Solita Col-
las-Monsod and Susan A. Roces.
On the other hand, Rosve Hen-
son, president of the Kapanalig at
Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga
(Kambilan) which launched the re-
call move last week, said his group
has started its signature drive in all
of Pampanga’s 21 towns.
While Henson could not say how
many have already signed their re-
call petition, he said that from their
original 5,000 members last week,
they have issued 1,000 more identi-
fication cards for new signatories.
“Each of these members has been
asked to gather as many signa-
tures as they can, but we are doing
this very carefully so that all the
requirements of the Commission on
Elections will be complied with,”
he said.
In a statement, Padaca’s group
said, “We believe that this at-
tempt to recall him is politically
motivated and would only serve to
benefit the vested interests of a few
politicians in Pampanga.”
The group described itself as a
“movement for genuine change and
ethical leadership.”
“We urge the people of Pampanga
not to support the recall initiative.
We ask the Kapampangans to give
Gov. Panlilio a chance to fully
serve his term and continue the re-
forms that he has begun,” it added.
One Harvey Keh, a supporter of
Asian Journal - (619) 474-0588
November 7 -13, 2008
Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca
Panlilio, started the digital signa-
ture drive against the recall move
on the Internet.
His e-mail is being passed on by
Panlilio’s supporters to solicit more
signatures not only from Pampanga
but also from other parts of the
country and apparently, even from
Filipinos abroad.
Addressing “fellow Filipinos” in
his e-mail, Keh said the recall move
was “started by people closely
affiliated with Lilia Pineda, the
gubernatorial candidate that Gov.
Panlilio defeated and wife of al-
leged jueteng lord Bong Pineda.”
“If you will recall, just last
month, Gov. Panlilio courageously
filed plunder charges against Bong
Pineda for his alleged involvement
in jueteng operations and payoffs in
Pampanga. If they succeed in doing
this, we can expect that Pampanga
will once again go back to the dark
ages of patronage politics that has
led to the propagation of graft. We
cannot just sit back, relax and allow
a good and upright Filipino leader
to fail. We cannot allow evil to
ultimately prevail.”
“We cannot allow Gov. Eddie
Panlilio to be recalled,” he added,
urging Filipinos to sign up in sup-
port of Panlilio at ipetitions.com/
petition/supportgovpanlilio.
“While we are aware that there
are escalating problems in Pam-
panga such as the continuing
conflict between Gov. Panlilio and
the Provincial Board, the unre-
solved issue on the striking Balas
quarry workers and the calls for the
resignation of the current provincial
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administrator, among others, we be-
lieve that a genuine effort to resolve
them will be more beneficial to
the Kapampangans than a political
exercise that will further polarize
and divide the community,” Kaya
Natin! said in its statement.
It further said: “We also recognize
that there are members of the civil
society, church groups, business or-
ganizations and supporters of Gov.
Panlilio that have expressed disap-
pointment with his performance
during the past year.”
“Thus, while we continue to
support Gov. Panlilio’s crusade to
promote good governance in his
province, we also believe that he
should listen to the voices of these
groups and work at immediately
addressing and resolving these
growing concerns in order for him
to become a more effective gover-
nor,” it added.
Noting that “reforms do not come
easy” and “require continuing en-
gagements between the provincial
leadership and the other stakehold-
ers in the locality,” Kaya Natin!
said, “We do believe that given
time, Gov. Panlilio’s initiatives will
ultimately result in better delivery
of basic services to his constitu-
ents.”
“We ask all Kapampangans to be
patient with Gov. Panlilio because
we believe that despite the current
situation, he is at the moment still
the best person who can govern the
province in an effective and ethical
manner,” it said.
It added: “Should there be a need,
the members of Kaya Natin! are
willing to help organize and/or
facilitate a dialogue between Gov.
Panlilio and disgruntled mem-
bers of the civil society, business
groups, people’s organizations and
his former supporters in Pam-
panga.”
Apart from Padaca, the signato-
ries to the Kaya Natin! statement
included Naga City Mayor Jesse
Robredo, Ifugao Gov. Teddy Bagui-
lat Jr., and San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
Mayor Sonia Lorenzo.
Turban-clad Luli weds veterans living in the US.
Biazon said Democrats in both the
US Senate and House supported the
riders need investment veterans’ equity measure.
“In fact, both Senators Obama and
John McCain voted for its approval.
helmets, too banker It was with the Republicans in the
House that we had difficulty getting
support for the bill’s approval,” he
(Continued from page 1) (Continued from page 1) said.
no one – not even motorcycle-riding The groom is a former investment “But with the Democrats increas-
Indian nationals who wear the head- banker, working with Bear Sterns ing their numbers in both chambers
dress – is exempted from the “No International and Bankers Trust Co. of the US Congress in last Tuesday’s
Helmet, No Riding” ordinance to be He is the son of lawyer Antonio election, I am hoping this measure
passed in this city soon. Bernas, and was for a time a director will soon be approved,” he said.
Robert Erfe-Mejia, chief of the at the Ayala Foundation. As for US policy toward the Phil-
city’s public order and safety office, Luli, the second of the First ippines, Biazon and Rep. Teodoro
related to The STAR yesterday Couple’s three children, works with Casiño of the party-list group Bayan
how an Indian national, who was the WWF or Worldwide Fund for Muna predicted that there would be
at Mejia’s office to settle a traffic Nature. She is a passionate scuba no substantial changes.
violation, told Mejia that people like diver and environmentalist. She was By and large, American security
him who wear turbans are exempted among the top in the foreign service and economic interests remain the
from wearing helmets. examinations years ago but did not same despite changes in the US
But Mejia said he was not aware pursue a diplomatic career because leadership, Casiño said.
of such an exemption and asked his of her mother’s position. – Isaac “These interests transcend admin-
guest to show him a copy of this Belmonte istrations,” he said.
order – if it exists – so that he could However, because Democrats are
inform local lawmakers about it.
Mejia said the intention of the generally more concerned about hu-
man rights than Republicans, Casiño
proposed ordinance as envisioned
Smooth sailing seen
by Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. is to said he hoped the Obama leadership
would lift the terrorist tag the US
show to all that while Dagupan City
has put on the New People’s Army.
for Pinoy war vets bill
is a “friendly city it is also a safety-
conscious place.” “This tag has stalled the peace
“While we encourage investors process here. Its lifting would help
after Dems victory
to come in, we would like also to revive such process,” he added.
encourage our people and our visi- Meanwhile, Albay Gov. Joey Sal-
tors to observe safety at all times,” ceda said he does not see a change
(Continued from page 1)
he said. in US policy toward the Philippines
Indian nationals living in the some lobbying work at a dinner with
under the leadership of President-
country number in the thousands US congressmen. elect Obama.
and are very entrepreneurial, often The US Senate has approved the
But Salceda, who is also Mrs.
engaged in the business of selling measure, which got stuck in the Arroyo’s economic adviser, said he
household wares and fixtures, in- House of Representatives because
expects the new administration to
cluding umbrellas, blankets, electric several American congressmen make the US take the lead in tack-
fans and mats. Buyers are allowed wanted to limit its coverage and the
ling global climate change. – With
to pay in installments. benefits for Filipino veterans. Celso Amo
They also offer “instant loans” One proposal is to have the
paid on installment on a daily basis, proposed law apply only to Filipino
and they personally make the rounds
of the residences to collect the pay-
ments.
Last Tuesday, a public hearing
on the proposal was held at the city
council and was attended by 12
active motorcycle riding associa-
tions and 11 motorcycle dealers in
the city who strongly endorsed the Jocelyn Del Castillo
proposed ordinance.
Mejia said the proposed local President
ordinance seeks to impose tougher
penalties on violators who do not JCDC Inc.
wear safety helmets as a way of Agency Operator
strengthening the national law to 716 Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
prevent serious head injuries in road San Marcos, CA 92069
accidents involving motorcycles. Tel: (760) 740-5020
Once approved, billboards will be
Fax: (760) 598-8795
placed around entry points in the
city to inform motorists and visitors
about this ordinance. Joy Del Castillo
Currently, motorcycle riders who
do not wear helmets are left in the Travel Consultant
hands of agents of the Land Trans- Cell: (619) 808-9412
portation Office.
joydelc@yahoo.com
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