I hope you can spare us a few minutes of your time.
With the Elections of 2010 fast approaching, time is running out for us to choose well. Old faces… could it be that they got us to where we are now? Almost everywhere you go, people are tired of the old faces, old establishments, old ties and old players that seem to be our only options. People ask, “eto na lang ba?” We say, “why settle?” We’ve been doing that time in and time out and look where it has gotten us.
We personally believe we deserve better choices. We deserve to be given an opportunity to choose good leaders. While there is always a big premium on voters education and getting people to register, one of the loudest arguments against this is – “eh, wala namang pagpipilian – bakit pa?” We believe that Filipinos are not stupid – not bobo. Given a chance to vote for leaders who have an uncompromising stand against graft, make the most use of our scarce and limited resources not for personal gain but to deliver the services needed by the people, political will to make difficult and unpopular yet much needed decisions for the good of the country, will not coddle and protect the corrupt, consistently embody ethical principles, practice good governance and endeavor to be effective public servants, have a heart genuinely for the people, we Filipinos will go out and vote – and vote wisely. Given the chance, we will do what’s right.
We hope you can join us in urging Governors Grace Padaca and Among Ed Panlilio to run for the highest positions in the land. Governor Padaca is a victim of polio and needs crutches to walk but despite this she is best known for having fought against well-entrenched powers in Isabela and for winning the elections without use of guns, gold and goons. In her 5 years as governor of one of the top rice-producing provinces of the Philippines, she has tirelessly worked for the betterment of the lives of her constituents and has improved the conditions of Isabela so much so that today, Isabelinos enjoy the fruits of the rice and corn price stabilization program of Gov. Grace, among the many other improvements she has instituted in her province. Last year, Gov. Padaca was awarded one of Asia's highest honors, the Ramon Magasaysay Award for Government Service.
Governor Panlilio’s coming into power in Pampanga is a testament to the Filipinos’ desire to reclaim their land. Having won against reputedly the biggest illegal gambling lord in the country and the quarry-king of Central Luzon, Among Gov reclaimed for the Capampangans a sense of pride that they can choose good leaders who go beyond only selfish desires. Today, as he serves the people of Pampanga, he continues to be an inspiration to those who wish to do good and fight against the system of corruption no matter how difficult. Just last month, Pampanga won the Gawad Galing Pook Award for Outstanding Local Government Unit due to Among Ed's leadership.
Many say that the biggest problem in Philippine society today is not so much economic. Poverty is not the biggest challenge we face, rather, it is a growing cynicism of people and mistrust in government. A lot have lost hope that government can work for them and that our government leaders have the interest of the people as their primordial concern... We do not need mediocre public servants, we do not need intellectuals who will remain silent and choose to abstain on crucial matters and not stand up for what is right. We are tired of compromised leaders who first seek to appease and repay their financiers, their supporters and their allies before thinking of country. What we need are those who will stand up for the people and promote the people’s agenda, not their own or that of their allies and families only.
If you believe that we Filipinos deserve better and that we should be given better options in our choice for leaders, join us in this petition. Send us your NAME, CONTACT INFORMATION and LOCATION if you think Among Gov and Gov Grace should run for president and vice-president. You may send these to graceamong.thebette rchoice@gmail. com . While it might seem like a fight between David and Goliath at this point, we believe that nothing is impossible with the Filipino.
Join us as we dream and work for a better Philippines! Is genuine reform possible in the Philippines? We think so.
Always,
Atty. Eirene Aguila
