YPS

Ok here goes...Im about to say some stuff and Im ready to get stoned. No not the Jamaican kind of happy stoned but more like the St Stephen kind of stoned. The ouchy kind.

But first a disclaimer from me...I don't know Ed Panlilio...Ive never met him and the only thing I know about him is what from I've read in the papers and heard on the radio. Im also not talking about him in particular ( well not most of the time anyway) because Buddha knows hes not the first politician to be threatened with a recall and Shiva knows that he wont be the last. For the Religious fanatics, Im just giving the other deities equal air time. Don't be a-haytin'.

Thought Number 1

The loudest voice always comes from the party who finds him ( or her) self on the receiving end of a recall. The inevitable rally cry is always " my opponents motivations for instigating a recall is political" as if this declaration will immediately validate their winning and invalidate the call for recall. Well of course its political you dummy. Maybe its because you're in politics? And now that you're in politics you're now a politician.

Hmmmm... let that sink in for a minute. Times up.

Thought Number 2 (this part refers a bit to EP)

The winner ( who is being recalled) will inevitably defend himself and bring up the comparison of his administration versus the administration of the politician who lost. He will often cite how his administration is waaaaay better than the previous one. Oh Im sorry I didn't realize this was a dog and pony show.

Whether that is true or not the point is that AFTER you win the victory over the forces of (alleged) evil, it is now up to you to prove that you are worthy of the position. And this is where the tricky part begins...but ill share with you a secret that might help...you ready...here it is...you actually have to work at it.

You have to go the extra mile. Be the better man. Be above reproach. Be above suspicion. You have to be smart. You have to be savvy. You gotta have rad mad skills mah man. Know why? Because at the moment you win... YOU represent! Whup!

See, Im assuming that playing the role of the white knight is not about slaying the dragon once and living happily ever after...its about fighting it day after day after day (I only use this cheap metaphor because of part of the article that was forwarded through this group)

For a jumble of fuzzy reasons...: even non-attendance in meetings with the President. Well, the first time he went to such a meeting, he came home with a paper bag containing P500,000 and fell out of grace with Malacañang because he chose to tell the public about it.

Now Im no expert...but isnt that what white nights were supposed to do? Go into the dragons lair, slay the dragon, and come out shining and victorious? Sure he may have gotten stung the first time ( I thought that the brown bag contained cookies or something...maybe a Bens Burger) but does that mean he doesn't go to battle again (the metaphor becomes even more real considering that GMA (reportedly) supports/supported the Pinedas making Malacanang TRULY the lair of the dragon).

Thoughts Number 3, 4, 5.

My conscience is clean. The people know the truth. God will judge us in the end.

Ahhhh...sure...whatever.

Again referring to the Inquirer editorial emailed to this group;

For a jumble of fuzzy reasons: loss of confidence in his leadership, gross negligence, perjury, failure to unify local officials, lack of clear directions and programs of actions, failure to deliver basic services,

These are not trivial accusations and fall directly into the realm of good governance. The fact that they come from his political opponents may cloud the intent but the worst thing that the Supreme Court can do is to pussy foot around this local matter ( making itself the erstwhile protector of the just innocent and weak) to absolve itself or distract from the many for the indiscretions the public has perceived it to have committed.

But lets forget about the Supreme Court.

The respondent himself must be able to prove not only good governance but that the accusations against him are false.

Democracy sucks doesn't it?

The truth of the matter is, Ed Panlilio already got a reprieve when no one decided to prosecute him for receiving the first 500k. This was a conscience call by everyone. Lets forgive him. Hes a neophyte. Malay ba nya. But lets not imagine that this didn't taint him, at the every least, the colors of an inexperienced ( and according to his detractors, an incompetent) politician/administrator.

And the other truth of the matter is that he got lucky that people in a such a dire need for symbols of hope that we forgave a provable act of corruption. Hindi nga sya nahuli. Umamin sya. That doesn't absolve the crime does it?

Harsh isn't it. But that's politics.

Now, if by this time you, the reader, are seething with indignation about how I can raise the bar so high for good people like Ed Panlillo then here's a question ...would you rather we hold the bar up high for everyone that wants to become a public official or would you rather we should all create a "moderate your greed" column between the column of good and bad( to accommodate the little indiscretions that all well meaning, first time, I was forced to run, politicians can fill up with legal faux pas) or maybe create a strike three rule where the neophyte can sheepishly grin and say "oops!".

If you choose the kinder and gentler route...then its time for Jun Lozada to run for President.