Playing God

HEATHENS HAVE no place in the House of God.
Demonized for simply trying to exercise their constitutional right to recall an elected official they have found so much wanting in competence and ability to serve, Kapampangans that made the Kambilan – Kapanalig at Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga, Inc – have not only been deprived of any democratic space in the sacred pages of the Philippine Daily Inquirer but burned, no, scorched thoroughly, there.
“Nakakahiya” (Shameful!) called its September 3 editorial of the recall movement. “Walanghiya” (Shameless!) it damned the local politicians -- virtually every elected official in Pampanga save the governor – it said were behind what it chose to believe as an insidious conspiracy to oust Gov. Eddie T. Panlilio from office, a plot made in hell itself to snatch away the Holy Grail of good governance from the Reverend, nay, the Sainted Governor and take the province back on the road to perdition.
September 5, the very apotheosis of Panlilio find actualization in its editorial cartoon of the Immaculate Governor garbed as a crusader with the shield of good governance and the sword of integrity, fearless in the very den of the evils hounding his realm: the Kambilan, personal greed and political interests.
Yeah, a shaft of light from above shining on the vitiligo-cleansed face of the cartooned Panlilio tilted upwards, eyes to the words “I won’t leave you alone” complete the heavenly representation.
Really moving. But wait, there is a slim line, indicative whence the beatific words came, pointed to the address of the business and editorial offices of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. There, God manifests itself. A slip there, less Freudian than profane.
Scream bias now, Kambilan. Shout unfair now, Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo and your ilk in the Pampanga Mayors League. Cry persecution, Bong and Lilia Pineda. Bawl partiality, Yeng Guiao and your sangguniang panlalawigan. Howl prejudice, ye protesting Balas quarrymen.
For you, there could only be wailing and gnashing of teeth. That is the lot of unbelievers.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer is hallowed ground exclusive only to the true and the good. The rest of us sinners are incinerated there.
In the image and likeness of the Philippine Daily Inquirer was Panlilio created. In its own image and likeness it created him.
In its own image and likeness it created them – Grace Padaca of Isabela, Jesse Rodredo of Naga City, Sonia Lorenzo of San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.
Blasphemer condemned to the fires of hell is he who shall rise against these creatures of good governance, of transparency, of integrity, of everything that is true, beautiful and godly.
This is the gospel of the Philippine Daily Inquisitor. Viva, Tomas de Torquemada! The tormentor lives on!