Kaya Natin! Slam COMELEC Ruling against Among Ed Panlilio
We, the leaders of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, strongly condemn the recent ruling of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division led by Commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer (see article asking for Commissioner Ferrer to resign), Elias Yusoph, and Lucenito Tagle proclaiming Lilia “Baby” Pineda as the winner of 2007 gubernatorial elections in the province of Pampanga and unseating incumbent governor and Kaya Natin! Co-Founder, Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio.
We mourn this decree that strips off the democratic power of choice from the people of Pampanga ang handed over to the whims of a few powerful people, who, incidentally, are very close allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Last 2007, Among Ed was proclaimed governor of Pampanga, winning by 1,147 votes against his closest rival Pineda, wife of alleged jueteng lord Bong Pineda. While Pineda used political machinery and money to woo voters, Among Ed’s campaign bereft of financial resources was run by primarily by volunteers and true Kapampangans who wanted to see genuine change in their province and elect an alternative effective and ethical leader.
We believe that this is an effort by the present administration’s allies to discredit the good governor, who is running for reelection against Pineda. Among Ed is a well-respected and beloved priest of Pampanga who has chosen to heed the call of the Kapampangans for a moral and effective leadership in the province, sacrificing his personal ambitions and comfortable life as a church leader. It is impossible for someone with such integrity as Among Ed to resort to electoral fraud, the very thing he is campaigning against.
We call on the COMELEC to reverse its decision and respect the mandate that was given to Among Ed by the Kapampangans. We fear that this decision, should it be implemented, will further dash the flickering hopes of the Filipino people to elect good and morally-upright leaders this coming 2010 elections.
We call on all Filipinos who believe in good governance and ethical leadership to support Among Ed. This is not only the fight of the Kapampangans, but the fight of every democracy-loving Filipino.
To show your support to Among Ed, text your complete name, address, and contact information to 09199575444 or you may also send your statements of support to kayanatin@yahoo.com .
SIGNED,
HON. JESSE ROBREDO, Mayor, Naga City
HON. TEDDY BAGUILAT,JR., Governor, Ifugao
HON. SONIA LORENZO, Mayor, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
HON. FERMIN MABULO, Mayor, San Fernando, Camarines Sur
HON. FLORANTE GERDAN, Mayor, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya
HON. ROQUE VERZOSA,JR., Mayor, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur
HON. MARIVIC BELENA, Mayor, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
HON. VALENTE YAP, Vice-Mayor, Bindoy, Negros Oriental
HON. TEOFISTO GUINGONA III, Representative, Bukidnon
HON. MABEL SUNGA-ACOSTA, Councilor, Davao City
HON. BOLET BANAL, Councilor, Quezon City
HON. NERIC ACOSTA, former Representative, Bukidnon
HON. GLORIA CONGCO, former Mayor, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija
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