During the 2007 elections, his name could have been mistaken for a “saint.” Many said that he came at the right moment when the people of the province of Pampanga were looking for an alternative candidate to stand for righteousness and good governance.

His victory over the known politicians was quite phenomenal. Many stood strong to fight for his sweet victory. Many painstakingly watched the election canvassing to protect his votes. Many sacrificed their jobs, families and personal activities just to volunteer and join vigils for his ascendancy to the Capitol.

It was a shining moment for Pampanga. Indeed, the Eddie Panlilio fever spread like wildfire in the whole country.

But almost two years after his ascendancy to power, the fever was gone. All that was left was chaos, disunity, sentiments, and criticisms. No, not from his detractors, but from his former allies. Panlilio became the center of talks as his closest staff resigned from the Capitol one-by-one. His fiercest supporters also left him for differences in policies and principle. They were proposing programs and he continues to reject. He failed to solicit the support of the local leaders, particularly the other elective officials.

At the end of the day, one would ask? Why? What happened? Is it all the “bad” people working against him? Or is it his persona that changed? What happened to his promises? The worst part of this is the hope that was lost for the people. The hope that the government can change through a new leader. Now, all the people have is a former priest who seems to be in a quandary how to run his government.

The story of former priest Eddie T. Panlilio is extra-ordinary. It is a story of all the Kapampangan people. It was a 15 second of fame that fizzled out before it was consummated. This usually happens when the euphoria is too intense that expectations run very high. So when there is failure, the disappointments are equally extreme.