Villanueva denies 2010 team-up with Panlilio

MANILA, Philippines - Jesus Is Lord (JIL) founder and evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva yesterday denied reports that he and Pampanga Gov. Eduardo Panlilio would be running mates in the 2010 elections, considering that the organization Kaya Natin! has already announced the priest’s tandem with Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca.

“I was not consulted for that, I’m sorry. That is only being floated by one of the geniuses in media management,” said Villanueva to speculations that he would run for president with Panlilio as his vice president.

There have been reports in the media that Panlilio has reportedly expressed willingness to slide down to the vice presidential slot if Villanueva would run for president.

Rumors were also afloat that Kaya Natin! was considering joining the Liberal Party (LP) which would reportedly field Sen. Mar Roxas as its presidential bet.

Last Wednesday, Villanueva met with Kaya Natin! members Panlilio and Padaca and convenor Harvey Keh in Ateneo. 

During their dialogue, Kaya Natin! invited him to join the organization’s selection process.

Prior to that, there had reportedly already been ongoing talks between the camps of Panlilio and Villanueva.

In one of the talks, Villanueva said he was confused because Kaya Natin! has invited many groups to join the selection process but seems to have already endorsed Panlilio and Padaca.

At the same time, Villanueva learned that Kaya Natin! was also gearing up for a Mar Roxas and Ed Panlilio tandem.

Villanueva added he has not met with LP national chairman Franklin Drilon yet.

The JIL’s political arm, Bangon Pilipinas (BP), has not chosen any presidential candidate to support in next year’s polls.

“We are still waiting for the results of the final convention of our political party that would be held in May or June this year, where we would be coming out with a complete line up of candidates down to the local government level,” Villanueva said.

He added that while they respect the right of every Filipino to participate in the elections, he believed that Panlilio should not abandon the people of Pampanga and finish his God-given mandate in Pampanga. “But if he is being convinced to run for president, I respect his right,” he added.

If the collective leadership of the movement, the Bagong Pilipino, Bagong Pilipinas Movement (BPBPM), will be able to convince him to run next year, his running mate should be someone who embodies the vision of the BPBPM, Villanueva said.

The JIL founder said he is ready to take on the challenges.

Learning from the 2004 elections reportedly marred by cheating, he said this time “it will be a different ballgame.”

In yesterday’s BPBPM launching at the Araneta Coliseum, Villanueva announced that he would go “on leave” as JIL evangelist. “Beginning today, I am taking off the hat of an evangelist, a pastor. This is the sacrifice needed of me. If I can call for change, I must also be ready to act.”

“I am taking a leave of absence as a pastor from the JIL Church. I am thanking the council of leaders of the JIL worldwide movement who released me from ecclesiastic duties since Feb. 7, 2009 so that I may concentrate on the transformation of our beloved nation,” Villanueva said.