A commenter on this space told the truth about my stand on Panlilio. She says that the reason why I discourage Ed Panlilio, who today announced his bid for the presidency in 2010, is I am frustrated over the alternative candidates of the past and taking this out on the Pampanga governor.
Jemaima, that is true. And frustration seems so lame a word to describe what I felt. In 2000, many of my generation, including those who were extremely promising were enticed by the sweet prospect of an economist cum president. Nine years later, we're not only frustrated---we're totally angry.
We thought that the problem was economic and the solution, an economist. Now, the problem is graft and corruption rooted on immorality and people generally thought that the solution lies on transforming this Republic to a Catholic colony.
Now, on Ed Panlilio, I am not only frustrated--I'm exasperated with him. Why? Because probably he misinterpreted the voice of God. Probably God asked him to continue his mission to cleanse Pampanga of dirty politics and gambling and not the entire country. Or, probably it was "Batasang Pampanga" instead of "Batasang Pambansa."
It also sent a wrong message to those who want to serve God---serve country first or serve the Mammon first. Or, a message which says " presidency instead of the priesthood." With a declining number of men going to the seminaries to apply as priests, Panlilio's act would probably worsen the number.
I remember one case similar to that of Manong Ed---Apolinario dela Cruz. Dela Cruz led a revolt in Northern Luzon against the Spaniards under the Confradia. He said God asked him to, he said. Leading thousands to slaughter, De La Cruz was eventually arrested and murdered.Others followed after him, including the 1967 massacre at the Mendiola bridge under the leadership of a certain De Los Santos.
It would have been better if Manong Ed announced his support and leadership to the New Philippine Revolution against this administration. That would have been great. That would have been inspiring. It would have been a great video grab showing Manong Ed leading thousands of flag-carrying people going to Malacanang armed with Godly will and passion.
That, I think, is the TRUE MISSION of Manong Ed---be the inspiring leader of our age. Be our Cardinal Sin. Be our moral guide. Be our Rock. That is, I think, God told Manong Ed when he was contemplating on his next political move. Unless of course, another god or a lesser being masquerading as "God", communed with him.
On the voice of God:
ReplyDeleteDean: Do you really believe that God has called you into the ministry?
Student: Yes Dean, I believe so with all my heart.
Dean: Why?
Student: Because I dreamt of if. God wrote in heaven three letters- G P C.... Read More
Dean: And what does it mean?
Student: Go Preach Christ
Dean: OK, you're in.
Years later....
Dean: Hey! How've you been? I heard you're no longer in the ministry and is now into farming. What happened?
Student: Sorry Dean, I misinterpreted the dream. But now i know for sure and am really content and happy in my calling.
Dean: Oh! Really? So what does GPC meant?
Student: Go Plant Camote.
Because nobody seems to be taking this blog too seriously, let me add my own comic take on the matter.
ReplyDeleteI say: better a political candidate heeding what he thinks is the voice of God rather than his rival trapos NOT heeding the voice of the people. Let us elect Ed Panlilio if only for his fear of displeasing God. Unless of course, we are all so jaded as not to believe in God ourselves--like this blogger, who keeps reducing our choices between the Devil and the deep blue sea.
Agree ako dyan. Iboto ko na lang yung leader na takot sa Dios kesa yung trapong di man lang takot sa batas at taong-bayan. Saka mas nakakatakot naman yata na porke frustrated ka sa mga naunang alternative candidates, dun ka na lang ulit sa trapo. Duh!
ReplyDeleteMangubat, how different are u from d "masquerading God" who communed with Panlilio if the governor was to heed ur call to be our Moral Leader? None deserves to be a Moral(morality)Leader; not even Cardinal Sin claimed he was. What we need is a moral (as opposed to immoral) president. By being moral, Panlilio definitely is not proposing to moralize on those who doesn't share his values. I cannot find any act of our governor that imposed on the religious beliefs of others except on those that are un-religiously corrupt like the quarry mafia. By the way, u owe as Kapampangans (religious or not) an apology for calling our province backward. -Fred
ReplyDeleteHI fred,
ReplyDeleteLet me answer you with these questions:
1. Is morality a political platform? If that's the only case, then, sige, vote for Manong Ed. In reality, morality has never been an effective political platform.
2.If it is a political platform, then, whose morality? Yours? Mine? Manong Ed's? Whose religion will then be the foremost moral doctrine to follow? Catholic? Islamic? Protestant? Buddhist? Hindu?
3. One wrote here na we need a moral president. Yeah. Everyone has his own moral convictions. Even Gloria has her own. Now, is being moral, enough to propel you to the presidency? No. You need qualifications. You need a track record. O sige nga, what's the track record of Manong Ed? Walang nagtanong sa inyo about this.
Compare Pampanga prior to the election of Manong Ed and now. Me nagbago ba? That, in itself, would show you what kind of Philippines ang aasahan natin kay Manong Ed.
anonymous,
ReplyDeleteelect someone if only for his fear of displeasing God? are you serious? you're being too comical for your own good.
prove to me that GOd really talked with Panlilio? And show me what's the name of that God that ordered Panlilio to run? What's His name, if you will?
did you hear that God's words? what were the instructions?
dahil wala ka lang mapagpilian, eh, iboboto mo na ang isang taong ang tanging qualification is he's a priest? are we so low na pipiliin lang natin ang isang tao dahil maka-Dios siya? eh, bakit hindi na lang si Ed Villanueva? at least nakapag-aral siya ng polsci at public admin and he built an empire because of that?
or, bakit hindi na lang mga pari dun sa Mount Banahaw...at least sila, malilinis at talagang deboto sa Dios....
that's the entire point---who's to say that what Ed Panlilio heard was from God?
please visit http://kayanatin.com/ to know more about ed palilio
ReplyDeleteplease visit http://kayanatin.com/ to know more about ed palilio
ReplyDeleteWhy look up & condon corrupt leaders? Changing the concept & image of Filipino role models has long been over due. Time to show the younger generation that the real role models are not the government officials who have no intention of serving the interest of the Filipino people/nation, but only to enrich themselves at the expense of their constituents' miseries.; that real role models are NOT the so-called public servants who use their positions to get rich; the real role models are NOT those who use show biz popularity but NO real potentials to be good political leaders; that the real role models are NOT those who came from politically connected families who've historically established themselves thru corruptions of all sorts; etc, etc. To kurakot with no hiya & takot, in fact with pride, has become the most desirable career for pinoys. Threat na ba si Fr . Ed to these role model concepts?
ReplyDeletefr:Sharif Jessie Dy Umali
... your site has a virus... please try to figure out how to get rid of this so that more people would access and read your interesting exchanges.
ReplyDelete