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Editor’s note: Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio,
popularly known as “Among Ed,” delivered the following speech at
the Rotary 3830 District Conference on Saturday at SMX Convention
Center in Pasay. Panlilio is the first priest to be elected governor
in the Philippines.
WE live in what the Chinese call
interesting times. Interesting, in the sense that all the events
that have transpired in the past few weeks have given us pause to
examine what the signs of the times are telling us. Once again,
people are re-examining their options and are deliberating on the
different sides of every issue being presented to them.
We can cause change, sometimes in
the most surprising way. Nobody expected us to win but we did.
There were those who said that we
would last only until December, but still we are here, not out of
hubris, but out of grace of God, for whose glory we strive to make a
difference in our province.
The Pampanga experience
I believe that the Pampanga
experience has been a shining example of how modern democracy can be
practiced here in our country, following the other examples in the
mold of Nueva Viscaya and Nueva Ecija. The vision of Davids doing
battle with Goliaths has always captured the imagination of people,
but in its essence, that is democracy: small persons like you and
me, banding together to determine our future in the face of a few
Goliaths seeking to impose their will upon us by force of arms or
money.
Democracy is the rule of the
majority, and not the rule of the mob, which can come from both
sides of the political fence. We have laws of the land, fundamental
among which is the Constitution, that cannot be ignored or
desecrated just because a few people happened to gather together and
make some noise. On the other hand, the legitimate grievances of the
people must be addressed. Failure to do so is a denial of the dictum
that power resides in the people.
Why I did not join
People have been asking me, why
have I not joined the solidarity walk of the governors with the
president? Of all people, the governor of her hometown should be at
the helm of any vessel of support that might be launched in her
defense, or so the conventional wisdom of many would say. Let me be
very clear about this. President Arroyo may be the best thing that
ever happened to Pampanga, in terms of infrastructure development
and economic impetus.
Through her, our airport in Clark
has undergone so many improvements that can position it to rival its
Metro Manila counterparts. The completion of the Subic-Clark Tarlac
Expressway has redrawn the map of economic opportunities in the
province. Schools and health centers have been built with their
directives. The projects she has implemented in our province are
undeniable. Personally, I have sent my grateful appreciation to her
for the proactive instructions to General [Avelino] Razon for my
security and safety when word reached her that there were two
contracts on my head.
But for me to express defense for
the president in such terms as “unquestioning,” wholehearted,
unequivocal, all the possibility of mistakes in the person, which to
put it mildly is a form of idolatry.
Even in a family, a parent will
not tolerate the wrongdoings of a child. This is not some sort of a
left-handed compliment, but my respect for the president to her
humanity shall always be there. And allow me to reiterate my
position:
I shall give my full support to
President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo insofar as good governance and
responsible citizenship is concerned. I also make my appeal to the
president to help us make Pampanga the template for transparency and
accountability in the country.
In the same manner, I do not wish
you to accept me hook, line and sinker. Out administration has yet
to implement a highly efficient delivery system, because the
superstructure is not yet in place.
Our accounting and budget
departments combined have less number of computers than a
medium-sized private school. We have to redesign our social service
system; with so may people walking and asking for all kinds of help,
it takes time before the assistance is received by the indigent.
I have my faults
I have my share of faults, not
excluding a perceived stubbornness. By refusing to follow the usual
political practices, such as patronage and unprincipled
alliance-building, I have been seen as an ignorant neophyte and a
false messiah. By pushing for consensus-building, I have been
accused of being slow in my decisions.
By following strictly the
procurement and bidding rules, the cutting of corners that breed
corruption have been prevented. During the so-called dialogue
between me and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, I was asked by the Vice
Governor why we have not been able to implement infrastructure
projects according to a schedule they expected, when all other
provinces in Central Luzon have been able to accomplish so much,
despite the fact that we are all covered by the same laws. My reply
was sincere: I don’t know. I didn’t know how the others did it,
but this is what I do know, that in the province of Pampanga today,
the following are banned:
A list of no-no’s
Advance payment of SOP,
construction without the necessary program of work, padrino system
in bidding, unregulated and unsupervised construction. I have stated
time and again to the contractors and suppliers that any act to the
contrary shall be severely dealt with.
As a proof that I mean to uphold
the law and preside over a level of playing field, we have imposed
fines and penalties on violators, even those who have been our
staunchest supporters during the campaign, and yes, even mayors and
other public officials. Commenting on our moves, some have shaken
their heads and accused us of committing political suicide. I have
been been scorned and laughed at because at certain periods of the
month I do not have any more money to give those who come to the
Capitol begging for a bit of a relief. Why? Because I do not steal
from the treasury, or receive payola from vice lords.
The P27,000 or so that I received
as salary mostly go to financial assistance. When it runs out, I
have nothing to give anymore, and my only recourse is to steal, or
to take bribes, which I will not do.
I see those who are perceived as
Robin Hoods to be purveyors of patronage that keeps our poor people
dependent on them, thus depriving them of their dignity.
Let’s face it. Those public
officials who accept bribes and grease money in the name of public
service have become richer than before, by pocketing most of the
money and giving a pittance to the poor they claim to serve. Why are
we so strident in effecting a new kind of politics in Pampanga? Do
we have a template that we desire to follow and even improve on?
I am first to admit that ours has
not been the first effort to redraw the political landscape of our
land. There are others we admire, like Mayor Jess Robredo of Naga
City and our own Mayor Oscar Rodriguez of the City of San Fernando.
Given the fact that we command a
greater territorial responsibility, we have to tweak the machinery
here and there. But the motivation remains the same. How do we
realize this inner change? Marikina, Subic and Clark and even the
city-state of Singapore have shown us the first step. There must be
a political will to uphold the majesty of the law.
Transparency, accountability
The people must realize that an
infraction will be met with penalty. The leadership must have the
sincerity and purpose to forge ahead, no matter what opposition
comes, for there will certainly come one, most probably in the guise
of embedded culture, especially our culture of taking the easy way
out. Both the citizen and the civil servant must be held liable for
their action, implying a swift justice system that favors no one.
But beyond the external force of the law, the internal conversion oc
every citizen must happen.
This is where churches and civic
organizations can come and help. The crusade in Pampanga does not
only involve civic consciousness; it also includes a change in
character that is founded on ethical and moral convictions. How then
shall we assure its chances of success?
This is why I come to you today.
We need your help. All forms of assistance to Pampanga are surely
welcome, of course. But in the same manner that the campaign and the
elections last year were an out-of-the-box event, I propose another
unique way of helping us realize the crusade, most fittingly for the
Rotarians.
I now ask you to help us by
inaugurating your own crusades in your respective communities and
government units.
Let us make a common cause for an
internal change, and I call on you Rotarians, because you have been
in possession of an ideal that transcend faith and culture, but
which strengthen national character though the transformation of an
individual. This ideal hits the issue of good governance straight
though, because you have so many public officials in your ranks. At
the same time, it solidifies the aspirations for responsible
citizenship, because among you are private citizens of great
influence to the community. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel;
it has been with you all along, not only in your logo.
The Filipino as Rotarian
If only you can convince every
Rotarian to take to heart and heed your ideal, then I believe that
this country will be headed in the right direction, and you will be
helping us realize our dream of transparent and accountable
governance matched with responsible citizenship.
Will the crusade for good
governance and responsible citizenship in Pampanga be successful? I
don’t know. I was told of a rumor that I will be holding office
until the end of June, at the latest. If God allows it, I am but his
servant. But I am firmly convinced that for his crusade to succeed,
it needs the synergy of every Filipino who has had enough, and who
is now willing to stand up and do something about it in his own
province, in his own town, in his own background, in his own heart.
I ask, is that you, Rotarian? 
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