Davao priest runs for mayor, faces suspension

MANILA, Philippines - Another priest is seeking public office, the CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), reported last Friday.

Fr. Emerson Luego, parish priest of San Isidro Labrador in Sawata, Asuncion, Davao del Norte, has filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor of Sto. Tomas town of the province.

He is reportedly running as an independent candidate.

Luego, who belongs to the Diocese of Tagum under Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz, has even started preparing his campaign materials, CBCPNews said.

Manlapaz said Luego may be suspended from the priesthood due to his entry to politics.

Manlapaz said since July, he had been trying to talk to his priest about his decision to run for mayor and the latter told him that he would think about the matter carefully.

“However, the month of November passed and he did not return to tell me about his final decision, so I wrote him a letter and had it received,” Manlapaz said.

Luego, according to Manlapaz, claims that he decided to run because his townmates are clamoring for change.

“I told him it’s easier said than done. He knows about the consequences,” Manlapaz said.

As soon as the Diocese of Tagum gets the information about Luego’s filing of COC, another letter will be sent to him to remind him of the consequences of his decision.

Meantime, the CBCPNews also reported that Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio might be slapped with grave laicization, a sanction that would strip him of all ties to the priesthood for allegedly “disobeying” orders to quit politics.

This after Panlilio’s decision to seek reelection as governor.