I have been a staunch supporter of Governor Ed Panlilio since he declared his bid to run in Pampanga. I’ve always taken his side when I’d have discussions and debates with my friends. But after reading today’s paper, I draw the line. He presented himself as a possible 2010 candidate in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer and that’s when I knew that he’s finally “bitten the apple”. The good priest-turned governor has finally succumbed to one of the most subtle and deceiving deadly sins – Pride.
Deadly Sin – Pride
Governor Ed, you are not the messiah of the Philippines. You have no training whatsoever as an economist, politician, diplomat, armed forces chief, or any of the skills needed to lead a country. What you are right now is a moral force that inspires and reminds people that we do need reforms and that we need to take a stand against corruption. If you believe that you are “the ONE” and that you will be responsible for turning this country around, then listen harder to that voice in your conscience because it might be just pride and ego. If ever you do run, you’re not relying on yourself to win on 2010, but rather on the institution and reputation of the Church.
What about Pampanga?
If you really want to stay in politics, why not focus on Pampanga first? Implement more reforms and policies that will enable your province to soar. Come up with programs that will generate employment, business, and tourism. Show the world that you are indeed a good leader and local government official. Prove your worth first before you set your sights on a higher position. And don’t just talk about the Quarry issue. Everyone knew the problem there, you were the one who just acted on it. If you will anchor everything on that one achievement, then I don’t think it will be enough for you to become President.
As one of my bosses in work used to tell me – if there is one thing you cannot argue against, it is SUCCESS. Show them the numbers. Show them results. Show them that you can deliver and that you get the job done as a Governor. And show them that you can do it CONSISTENTLY.
You’ve made so many enemies at the local level and you haven’t resolved most of them yet. What more if you’re the Chief Executive of the country? Your enemies will multiply by the thousands and your allies will dwindle to the hundreds. Do you have enough experience in the political arena to withstand that kind of pressure?
There are so many problems that will arise once you take on the Presidency. I’m sure most of the problems that you’ll encounter will be firsts for you because of your lack of experience. Can you really lead this country with your current skill set? Can you really bring us out of debt instead of plunging us even deeper into economic turmoil? If your answer here is a big yes, then prove it with Pampanga!
Taking Advantage of God and the Priesthood
Is God really working through you? Or are you working God? Are you using the mantle of the Priesthood as a campaign gimmick to bolster your numbers to make up for the lack of experience? By simply being a priest, you have the natural trust of the people. I mean, who else to better endorse a candidate and increase his/her chances of winning than God Himself? By entering into politics as a Priest, you are taking advantage of that innate trust and “holy credibility” that comes with the title of “Father”.
In your interview, you said that you wanted more to become part of a movement that will look for a “Reform Candidate”. Maybe this is your true calling and not to actually become THAT candidate.
Pray, and PRAY HARD
Governor Panlilio, please pray, and pray hard for discernment and wisdom. Go on a 3-day silent retreat or something. Study the word and communicate with God so that when you do make your decision, you know that is is really God’s will and not your pride or your ego talking.
If you will really run in 2010, then do it the right way. Leave the priesthood for good and concentrate on your career as a politician. Stop using the Priesthood as a trump card in elections and focus on your achievements as a Governor.
This will probably be your greatest temptation yet. It’s not in the form of a seductive woman, money, influence, power, or even greed. It’s the temptation that a lot of priests and pastors fall to – the temptation of believing that you are the next Jesus.
[...] (Re-posted from my blog) No tags for this post. Add to del.icio.us | Digg this! | Yahoo MyWeb | Google Bookmark It! | Stumble It! About The Author: Carlo “Wauks” Ople is the Head of Casual Games and Responsible Gaming for the leading online gaming publisher in the country – Level Up Philippines. He is also a New Media consultant for various politicians and government agencies. You can read more about him in his personal blog at http://www.carloople.com. [...]
Hey Carlo! Encountered this as I was researching for a piece on Among Ed.
I agree with you. He’ll really need to focus on Pampanga first but not just to deliver results (and bolster his track record), but to build a strong enough coalition to take him to the national level. He will still need to play by the established political game, but where will his allies come from? It would be so ironic for him to lose Pampanga in the national election. Whether the ordinary kabalens latch on to him is something that remains to be seen.
I will have to meet you halfway on that priesthood point though. I don’t get the impression that he’s leaning on the Church at all, or that he’s banking on the fact that majority of the country is Catholic. I don’t find him dogmatic, and by drilling us with the quarry issue, he knows that results matter. In his latest declaration of interest to run, he does so to measure his viability and to gauge whether he has the machinery to run. Not once did he say that it’s “God’s will”. He is a pragmatic politician.
I empathize with him. He wants to help in the search for a genuine reform candidate, but he finds no one else rising up to the challenge. The presidency is not just about technical knowledge or political heft (just take a look at the current occupant), but about courage and integrity which he seems to have in abundance. I understand that the question is whether he’s ready for the presidency. In contrast I ask, are we ready for him?
Thanks for this. Warmed me up for my piece.
Do you have anyone else on mind as credible alternative leader?
none I can see from where I’m coming from ….