Panlilio to withdraw request for dispensation from priesthood

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga , Philippines  – Outgoing Gov. Eddie Panlilio will withdraw his request to be dispensed from priesthood and expressed hope that Catholic church authorities would fully restore his priestly powers.

Panlilio has been under suspension as priest since 2007, and before the May 10 elections, he submitted a letter to San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto seeking permanent dispensation from priesthood.

Aniceto said Panlilio’s letter was forwarded to Pope Benedict XVI for decision even before the last polls and that he expected the Vatican to decide on it within a year.

Panlilio said, however, he would withdraw the request, even as he expressed hope that Church authorities would accept him back to priesthood.

But he expressed doubt that he could go back to being parish priest of Betis in Guagua town once his priesthood is restored, a post he occupied when he first entered politics by running for governor in 2007. He noted that Betis already has another parish priest.

“If I go back, it need not be a parish assignment for me, as I can be assigned to a ministry such as one on good governance and social responsibility,” he said.

He had once headed the archdiocesan Social Action Center of Pampanga (Sacop) which had helped thousands of victims of the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

In related developments, governor-elect Lilia Pineda filed on Friday a petition for the implementation of the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on May 5 for the ouster of Gov. Eddie Panlilio and her takeover of the provincial capitol.

The electoral case was appealed by Panlilio before the Supreme Court where it has remained pending.

In a telephone interview, however, her lawyer George Garcia clarified that the decision to file the writ of execution was “merely a matter of procedural requirement.”

He said Pineda does not intend to occupy the gubernatorial post soon, as she would take over as governor anyway after the term of Panlilio expires on June 30.

Moreover, the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Pamcham) on Friday expressed optimism that the incoming administration of Pineda will actively work for the development of the province in close coordination and consultation with the business sector.

Rene Romero, president of Pamcham, said in a media interview that he is “looking forward and positive” to the incoming administration of go­vernor-elect Lilia Pineda.

He said the Pamcham members were impressed with the initiative of Pineda in consulting the business sector earlier before the recent election on what they can contribute for the province and asked them to help her administration.            

Romero said upon the assumption to office of Pineda, they would present for consi­deration their proposed Pampanga Development Agenda coupled with their recommended Legislative Agenda.

He said they are upbeat that the Pineda administration would consider the business sector as active partner in the development of the province.   – With Ric Sapnu