Priest’s gubernatorial hopes opposed by own archbishop

GUAGUA, Pampanga – Divine intervention may very well be what a parish priest in this town needs, after his intention to challenge two politicians in the gubernatorial race faced objections from his archbishop.

Barangay Betis parish priest Fr. Eddie Panlilio deferred his decision to run against incumbent Gov. Mark Lapid and provincial board member Lilia Pineda after Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando expressed concern over possible violations of the Catholic Church’s Canon Law on the separation of Church and State.

But Panlilio said he is not about to give up on his desire for change through politics because of the "moral decay" that has been plaguing Pampanga.

In an interview with The STAR at his parish residence here, Panlilio said that despite objections from Aniceto, he would submit to him today his application for leave from his ministry.

"I am still discerning whether to run or not," Panlilio said, but added that he may still decide to run "whether or not my application is approved."

Panlilio said he and his supporters were slated to hold more prayer vigils to help him decide.

He said he would file his candidacy as soon as he has made up his mind. But time is running out on Panlilio, as the filing of certificates of candidacy on the local level expires tomorrow.

In a meeting last Monday night, some 300 leaders and members of various civil society groups urged the 53-year-old priest to run for governor.

But Aniceto expressed apprehensions over this even though some local Church authorities cited exemptions from the Canon Law provision under "extraordinary circumstances."

Panlilio stressed that once he decides to run for governor, he would go on leave – whether or not the archbishop approves his leave application.

"I would then be some kind of a layman. I would not be able to administer my ministry," he added.

Panlilio was earlier set to announce his candidacy at his parish last Monday afternoon, but said that he might make the announcement today instead.

"Some believe that politics is for laymen, but there are those who insist on a third force representing sectors that want change in governance," he said.

Panlilio noted, however, that none of the laymen who were considered by the multi-sectoral group accepted the gubernatorial challenge. "Out of conscience I should give it (running for governor) a try," he said.

Last Monday night, journalist Randy David attended the meeting of the multi-sectoral group, but begged off from joining the provincial gubernatorial fray. Other laymen in the group’s short list also did not want to run for governor.

Panlilio cited graft and corruption, illegal gambling, and inefficient governance as among the reasons for the moral decay in the province.

At present, he said, vote buying has already become rampant.

In Betis, one gubernatorial candidate handed out P20,000 each to barangay campaigners and even youth leaders, in addition to P300 per diem.

"When they heard I was running, they wanted to return the P20,000 but their problem was they had already spent part of the amount," he noted.

Various sectors in this province have expressed concern over allegations of anomalies on lahar sand quarrying funds against Lapid, as well as the alleged jueteng links of Pineda, wife of Rodolfo "Bong" Pineda who was tagged as a big-time gambling lord during the Senate impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada.

Fr. Restie Lumanlan, president of the Save Pampanga Movement, cited the perception of many sectors that the candidacies of Lapid and Pineda were "two evils" that needed an acceptable third alternative.