Liberal Party embraces Panlilio

By Raymond C. Garcia
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- With his latest inclusion in the Liberal Party (LP) of Presidential aspirant Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Governor Eddie Panlilio can now be classified as a “full pledge politician.”
Recently, Panlilio led the latest batch of LP recruits who took their oath before the party’s presidential and vice presidential standard bearers Sen. Aquino and Sen. Manuel Roxas III, respectively.
This latest development in Panlilio’s “political career” drew some comments among laity as well as on some priests in the Archdiocese regarding the real and on-going pans of the priest-turned-governor in the coming days.
Some are asking if Panlilio is already at the brink of taking a big leap in his life if ever he decides to run again for public office and leave the priesthood while others are asking if the governor already had the approval of his immediate superior Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto about his plans.
Cannon lawyers said that should Panlilio decides to run for public office again, he should first prioritize to get a dispensation from the Holy See.
Joining Panlilio during the said oath taking were former Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina, Misamis Oriental Mayor Ruthie Guingona, Pasay City Vice Mayor Antonio Calixto and former Laguna vice governor Edwin Olivares.
According to reports, Roxas said the LP has further strengthened its organization for the 2010 elections by recruiting new members known for their clean record as elected public officials.
He furthered by saying that the continuing expansion of the party proves that the forces seeking honest, clean and upright leadership is growing.
Lina served as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s interior secretary until his resignation in 2004. He also once served as governor of Laguna.
Panlilio is an active proponent of reforms and good governance as governor of Pampanga, Ms Arroyo’s home province.
Guingona is the wife of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, who has led the opposition to Ms. Arroyo, particularly after the “Hello Garci” wiretapping scandal of 2004.
Last week, Pangasinan Rep. Victor Agbayani, North Cotabato Rep. Bernardo Piñol Jr., Alaminos, Pangasinan Mayor Hernani Braganza and 125 local officials from different parts of the country took their oath as Liberals.