With the fractured relationship between the executive and legislative branches of the provincial government now dragging into second month of the new year, a veteran member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has called for a province-wide day of prayer and fasting.
In last Monday’s regular session, PBM Edwin T. Tanael appealed to all religious leaders of Catanduanes – Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Independent Christian churches, and those of the Muslim faith – to set aside a day to pray for reflection, repentance, and divine direction.
The Bible-quoting pastor and educator-turned-politician asked them to pray for deliverance from pride and deceit and for everyone involved in the long-running political soap opera to be restored to servant leadership.
Describing the capitol leadership as anchored on self-protection and one of governance by accusation, Tanael lamented that the SP – a co-equal body of the governor – has been branded as corrupt, obstructive and serving on social media, without any proof, without due process, and without respect.
“The province does not need theatrics. It needs truth. It needs humility. It needs leaders who govern, not perform,” he reminded everyone as he thundered on the podium of the session hall.
He stressed that unless God intervenes, unless hearts are softened, and unless truth is embraced, nothing can save the people of Catanduanes.
In concluding his sponsorship of the measure approved by the PBMs present, the seasoned legislator wished the province – presumably including Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza, the SP leadership, both their loyal supporters, and the thousands of netizens (and trolls as well) – would choose humility over arrogance, truth over propaganda, and unity over division.
A long-running squabble that allegedly started over the usual division of spoils following a successful campaign has now come to this: an appeal for heavenly intervention.
It does not matter that God himself or his teachings on humility, truth and unity never entered the minds of the key personalities when all this brouhaha began.
As one senior board member reportedly pointed out to his colleagues, no amount of praying or supplication to the Almighty will convince the governor to come down from his throne (from which he sends bolts of social media lightning at the legislators) and sit as equals with Vice Governor Robert A. Fernandez and the SP.
Who started this petty ‘war’ no longer concerns their constituents, who are the most affected by the impasse and the lack of progress of the provincial administration.
What the people are after is for both sides to agree on the 2026 budget which remains mired at the Committee on Appropriations.
The experienced committee chairman, PBM Giovanni Balmadrid, has returned the Azanza budget proposal over what he described as reduced allocations for hospitals in favor of the purchase of airconditioned buses complete with toilet and videoke to be used in a new version of the Cuas’ “Pasada Eskwela.”
Whether this is true remains to be seen as no copy of the proposed budget has been released to mainstream media or posted elsewhere.
Aside from the vociferous finger-pointing on social media, it is this lack of information that has fueled the people’s frustration and now anger over the conflict immobilizing the provincial government.
Did the PBMs ask for quarry permits for themselves or did a trusted confidante of the governor maneuver around the guidelines for their own personal benefit?
Were all but one of the key appointees rejected due to lack of experience and training as well as a possible graft case or did the SP refuse to confirm their appointments out of spite?
Is the 2026 budget intended to improve the lives of Catandunganons or is it just aimed at polishing the image of the chief executive for a run at the congressional seat in 2028?
While it may be too much to ask both sides to reveal what is really going on behind the scenes, at least the documents should be laid bare so the public may judge for themselves.