Bishops urging Panlilio to return to priesthood

By Albert B. Lacanlale

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- The three bishops of Pampanga are unanimously urging Gov. Eddie Panlilio to return to priesthood after his term in politics expired in 2010.

This was confirmed by both Archbishop Paciano Aniceto and Panlilio in separate interviews over provincial radio station DWRW.

Aniceto said the clergy is awaiting Panlilio’ return to priestly duties after the 2010 elections since the latter only asked for three years for his foray in the political arena.

Panlilio was suspended from his canonical duties when he decided to run for governor in 2007. If he were to run again in 2010 he would be stripped of his priesthood.

“He only asked for three years and it would be better for him to return to his priesthood,” Aniceto said, claiming that even Bishops Pablo David and Roberto Mallari also have the same advice for their suspended fellow.

Panlilio said there are camps urging him to either seek for a national office or try reelection come the 2010 polls.

Panlilio explained though that his top priority is to leave politics and return to being a priest. However, he might remain in politics “if the need arises.”

“My entry to the political arena was an answer to a need—the need for an alternative candidate that could govern the province with moral ascendancy. And I might consider running again next year if the same call arises,” Panlilio said.

He said that in 2007, he was just one of the eight probable candidates being drafted to run against then governor Mark Lapid and former board member Lilia Pineda. The two officials were being linked to quarry collection irregularities and illegal gambling, respectively.

Among the eight choices to run for governor were sociologist Randy David, retired Justice Artemio Panganiban and businessman Renato Romero, who all begged off after numerous deliberations.

Panlilio said he is an advocate of good governance and “would offer myself again for the province or the country” if there would be no other candidates who could espouse transparent and corruption-free governance.