Pamcham prexy warns Sen. Roxas: Supporting Gov may mean losing 2010 presidential bid

BY: JOEL P. MAPILES

VISIT. Mayor Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno welcomes Commander of the US Naval Forces in Japan Rear Admiral James D. Kelly (3rd from right) at the Mayor's Office, City Hall Building. Included in the photo are (from left) Civil Security Unit Chief Medardo M. Manalo, Lt. John Courtright, City Information Officer, Lourdes Naguiat, City Administrator, Mark Allen Sison, Assistant Attach� Marshal Manipol of the US Embassy, CMDCM Robert Shannon and LCDR Mauricio A. Viles of JUSMAG-Philippines. Photo courtesy of CIO

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It was learned that the Liberal Party, headed by Roxas, is courting Panlilio and considering the governor in their senatorial line-up. With this, Romero has categorically withdrawn his and his family�s support to the presidential bid of the senator.

Romero, former regional coordinator of Roxas, said in the senator's decision to support Panlilio, he may end up losing not only their support but the support of the majority of the Kapampangans who are disgusted with Panlilio's style of governance.

Romero said for several times, he has updated the senator on what is going on at the capitol under Panlilio.

However, in spite of this, he said he was informed by the staff of the senator that Roxas has listened to the request of former Senator Franklin Drilon, who is close to Mayor Jessie Robredo, co-member of Panlilio in the Kaya Natin! Movement headed by Harvey Keh.

Romero said the Kaya Natin! Movement, which considers Panlilio as an icon, is just pushing the governor to run for a national position to show off the experiment of the Ateneo School of governance in the person of the governor. The PCCI president said the start of Roxas� support to Panlilio is the end of their support to the presidential ambition of the senator as early as this year. "Ayaw na naming makasama si Panlilio sa anumang kampanya, sa anumang samahang political because we were deceived by the governor. Kaya nagpasya kami ng aking pamilya na i-withdraw ang suporta namin kay Roxas na matagal at buong puso naming sinuportahan simula nang siya ay pumasok sa pulitika," he said.

Romero said Panlilio is continuously deceiving not only the Kapampangans but the entire country through using the national issues such as jueteng and alleged corruption in the government, when in fact, he himself is the worst governor the province has ever had when it comes to governance.

Romero said good governance entails winning the support of those whom you pledge to serve, but instead of gaining their support, he has created enemies on a daily basis and most of them are his former supporters in the last elections. "Si governor ay kulang sa professionalism in running the affairs of the capitol. Inaaway niya ang lahat ng mga kasamahang nanunungkulan. Papaano siya susuportahan? Hindi tama ang paraan niya sa paghahandle ng isyu ukol sa mga truckers, sa jueteng, sa kapulisan at maraming pang iba na may kinalaman ang opisina ng gobernador," Romero said. "But instead, tuloy pa rin ang kanyang pagbigay ng halaga kay Panlilio kaysa sa atin na tumutulong sa kanya nang todo-todo dito sa ating region" Romero added.