Recall proponent bats for common candidate vs Panlilio

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The leader of the group behind the recall petition against Gov. Eddie Panlilio is confident that different sectors would rally behind a common candidate in the special election, which he expects could be held in December or January next year.

But Rosve Henson, president of the Kapanalig at Kambilan da reng Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan), told The STAR his group, which had gathered over 220,000 signatures for the recall petition, would not endorse any candidate.

So far, only Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao has openly declared interest in running against Panlilio, but only if he would be chosen as the common candidate of all groups supporting the recall move.

Henson, however, declined to comment on Guiao’s pronouncement, saying, “It’s too early to talk about personalities.”

Although Kambilan would not endorse any candidate, Henson said they are willing to serve as an umbrella group for anti-Panlilio sectors.

“We do not want to preempt (these) sectors from coming up with their own shortlist of candidates, but Kambilan, if requested, can act as some kind of convenor to get all these groups together,” he said.

Henson expressed confidence that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would eventually uphold the recall petition, as endorsed by its Pampanga office, so a special gubernatorial election could be set.

“Ideally, there should only be one candidate who can unite the province. This unification factor is one qualification we want in the candidate,” he said.

Panlilio will automatically be a candidate in the special poll, which must be held not later than May 9 next year, or one year before the next regular elections, as prescribed by law.

Guiao earlier said the provincial board is prepared to allocate some P25 million for the special election, as the Comelec said it lacks funds for such an exercise.

Should Panlilio veto the allocation, he said board members would override it.

Panlilio’s legal counsel Romulo Macalintal though expressed doubt if the Comelec would approve the recall petition, which he described as “fatally flawed,” as the signatories failed to write down detailed reasons for supporting the petition.

The petition merely cited “lack of confidence” in Panlilio’s leadership as basis for the recall move.