The Hard Part
Ed Panlilio, who in March (2007) walked away from the life of a Roman Catholic Priest can now add the title of Governor to his name. Can we say, Miracle in Pampanga?
It is not often that a David wins over a Goliath. Running as an independent, Eddie Panlilio had no machinery, no money and he went against incumbent provincial board member Lilia Pineda and incumbent Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid, both of whom have strong ties with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and both ran with deep war chests.
Panlilio ran a campaign with volunteers. He had volunteers from the ground up, including the best lawyers working for him, pro bono--- all donating their time and their effort.
What a difference every vote made. Panlilio won by a little over 1,000 votes.
What great thing democracy is!
Governor Panlilio's victory is a mark against pGMA and a vote for change. Likewise, waiting in the wings are the victories of the likes of Trillanes and many young would be senators like Noynoy Aquino, Chiz Escudero and quite possibly Allan Cayatano. This election is shaping up to be an election about change.
That said, running the campaign, protecting the ballot are tremendously difficult tasks. Certainly, the sacrifices of the men and women behind those campaigns to carry their candidate to victory are outstanding efforts and a testament to their beliefs, their courage and their principles.
With that in mind, this must be said, or we might make the same mistake again. Like People Power in 1986, and like these extraordinary and miracle campaigns, winning against the odds is not the hard part. The hard part is what happens when the euphoria has died and the business of governing begins. The hard part is living up to the expectations of the electorate and delivering the goods because I don't think our electorate can stand being heartbroken again, when vows are needed to be renewed in 2010 and promises made in 2007 are broken and forgotten. The victorious better be game: so begins the hard part.
many thanks to mlq3 and to anonymous for the heads up on Ed Panlilio's victory!
What a difference every vote made. Panlilio won by a little over 1,000 votes.
What great thing democracy is!
Governor Panlilio's victory is a mark against pGMA and a vote for change. Likewise, waiting in the wings are the victories of the likes of Trillanes and many young would be senators like Noynoy Aquino, Chiz Escudero and quite possibly Allan Cayatano. This election is shaping up to be an election about change.
That said, running the campaign, protecting the ballot are tremendously difficult tasks. Certainly, the sacrifices of the men and women behind those campaigns to carry their candidate to victory are outstanding efforts and a testament to their beliefs, their courage and their principles.
With that in mind, this must be said, or we might make the same mistake again. Like People Power in 1986, and like these extraordinary and miracle campaigns, winning against the odds is not the hard part. The hard part is what happens when the euphoria has died and the business of governing begins. The hard part is living up to the expectations of the electorate and delivering the goods because I don't think our electorate can stand being heartbroken again, when vows are needed to be renewed in 2010 and promises made in 2007 are broken and forgotten. The victorious better be game: so begins the hard part.
many thanks to mlq3 and to anonymous for the heads up on Ed Panlilio's victory!
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