Panlilio hits board for declaring freedom park

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Gov. Eddie Panlilio accused the provincial board yesterday of agitating picketers against him and his provincial administrator by issuing a mere resolution declaring the Arnedo Park in front of the provincial capitol here a freedom park.

Referring to dismissed provincial government workers who have been holding a picket at the park, Panlilio said, “Their slogans are disrespectful and provocative. A mockery of the governor and the provincial administrator is uncalled for.”

The picketers, who were dismissed from their jobs in the provincial government’s lahar sand quarrying operations, have been criticizing Panlilio for allegedly reneging on his promise to rehire them.

They have also been seeking the ouster of provincial administrator Vivian Dabu whom they have accused of being behind their dismissal.

Panlilio said the picketers are “transgressing on the rights of others more particularly the right to a peaceful working environment of the employees at the provincial capitol.” 

He said apparently, the intent of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in issuing Resolution No. 1338 was to further agitate the picketers.

But Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao denied this, saying civil society leaders, including former supporters of Panlilio, were the ones who asked the provincial board to issue the declaration of Arnedo as freedom park.

The park was named after former Pampanga governor Macario Arnedo who served at the turn of the 20th century.