While the pervasive political graft and corruption amidst us is a disgrace to our nation and our people, a rape against all of us, those officials who obviously accept and practice them, and those who support this social cancer, are worse than the malignant crooks themselves. Their perverted senses of right and wrong, of justice, crime and punishment, are pathologic and sickening.

Take the case of Gov. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, a penniless priest, who won the election fairly and squarely against two well-entrenched “unbeatable’ powerful kingpins with well-funded political machineries in his province. In spite of his proven integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability, and glaringly obvious love and compassion for his constituents, his province, and his country since he took office, Governor Panlilio is being targeted by his enemies and their misguided supporters who are trying hard to punish him and oust him --- through a failed recount, now a recall, and as rumored, possibly (God forbid), through “requiem.” (This last option would be the greatest and the gravest blunder the opposition could make.)

The question is:  Why are some people now punishing a moral and law-abiding leader who is fighting graft and corruption, and allowing criminals to go free and unpunished, unabated in their plunder of our cities, provinces, and the nation, as more than 30% of our people are languishing in poverty? This is, indeed, extreme perversion and a mockery of justice!  Aren’t we supposed to punish the criminals and reward the law-abiding citizens, and not the other way around?

This problem is not only of Pampanga and of the Kapampangans. This is a problem for the entire Filipino nation. What is bad for Pampanga is bad for any other province in the country. What is good for Pampanga is good for the entire nation and the Filipinos in general. Let every Filipino, wherever he or she might be, rally behind Pampanga and its great people. The Pampanga experiment is an effective prescription for the political cancer that is ravaging the entire country

The Filipinos in the Philippines and around the world have the moral and socio-civic obligation to support men of caliber, moral fiber, compassion, and incorruptible integrity like Governor Panlilio, Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, Ifugao Province Gov. Teddy Baguilat, Jr., Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo,  San Isidro Mayor Sonia Lorenzo, San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez,  and all other political leaders in the likes of them, and socio-civic champions like Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga,  and aid in the national rebuilding of our beloved country, to a new nation, a just, honorable, and compassionate one, where war is waged, not against good people but against corruption and poverty, one which we and our children and the future generations can cherish with honor, dignity and pride within the international community of nations around the world.

To our fellow Filipinos, at home and around the globe: Let us start a revolution, not a revolution of arms, where blood shall be shed, but a revolution of ideals and principles, where our sweat and tears shall bathe the nation clean.

The power is in our hands, and the grasp, within our reach. Indeed, Kaya Natin! (We can do it.)

The window of opportunity is here. Let’s unite and go for a miracle. Our ailing nation and our suffering people deserve one. # # #

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS

Chairman

Filipino United Network (USA)