Cruz says Panlilio lacks machinery to win in 2010

MANILA, Philippines – Pampanga Gov. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio does not have the political machinery to win a presidential election, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said yesterday.

Cruz said it would also be difficult for Panlilio to beat formidable opponents in the 2010 presidential race.

“Panlilio would also need political machinery and the support (of local officials). We can be idealistic but we (also) need to be realistic,” he said.

Cruz pointed out Panlilio won the gubernatorial race in Pampanga in 2007 by a margin of just over 1,000 votes with only one mayor as supporter.

He said Panlilio would be facing another problem – that of being a priest “on leave.”

There is no such thing as a priest on leave in the Catholic Church but a “suspension” of duties and functions, Cruz said.

Panlilio revealed his intention to run in next year’s national elections during yesterday’s launching of “Kilos Na” movement, a political organization that would support his candidacy.

The Pampanga governor, however, stressed his decision is not yet final since he still needs to feel the public pulse and acceptance of his candidacy.

In the event that Panlilio finally decides to run for president, Cruz said Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, as a superior, would have to decide on Panlilio’s status as priest.

Cruz said he would only step in if Archbishop Aniceto seeks his assistance.

If the Pampanga governor eventually lands in Malacañang, Cruz said Panlilio would have to be suspended from the priesthood for six more years.

He added Panlilio could ask for a dispensation from the Church. “This is favorable,” Cruz said, “because he would be released from his (priestly) obligations such as celibacy, obedience to the bishops, and he could no longer minister Masses, baptisms and other sacraments.”

Another option would be to drop Panlilio from the roster.

“This is when the bishop wants his priests to leave the clerical state,” he said.

Cruz emphasized Panlilio could not be a priest and a politician at the same time.

“I will leave it up to him if he wants to run for president or be re-elected as governor but it cannot be that he is in and out (of the priesthood) at the same time,” Cruz said.

“When his supporters say that he is the only one qualified to run as president, that is impossible because there are many Filipinos who are upright citizens who could become (the next) president.”

Panlilio, for his part, declared that he might leave his priestly duties permanently if he files his certificate of candidacy on Nov. 30.

He also revealed talking to Cruz on the possibility of quitting his priestly duties permanently.

“I can apply for priesthood some other day, but I cannot be sure of being readmitted,” he added.

Panlilio also clarified that he did not categorically announce his candidacy.

“They (supporters) are very insistent that I declare my presidential candidacy and they even launched Kilos Na for this. I suppose actions speak louder than words. I have been attending presidential forums,” Panlilio said.

He said other presidential wannabes like Senators Manuel Roxas and Loren Legarda also have not made any categorical declaration they would run for president in next year’s elections despite common knowledge of their being “presidentiables.”

Panlilio said he is doing a “reality check” before making a decision.

“We must check on the viability (of running in the elections). We are not (that) suicidal,” he said.

Panlilio admitted he has still no funds to finance a hefty presidential campaign.

Show your colors

Malacañang challenged Panlilio to show what it takes for him to seek the presidency.

As someone who is relatively new to politics and because of his background as a Catholic priest, deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said Panlilio enjoys some degree of popularity, which is needed to vie for the top post of the land.

But popularity alone is not enough, as the people would also have a lot of expectations from him, Fajardo said.

“Maybe this would be a good start for him (Panlilio) to say and present his agenda or platform this early so that the people would be able to study these carefully,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo stressed Panlilio should present his track record as the governor of the home province of President Arroyo.

Fajardo pointed out Panlilio is rarely seen during the events of the President in the province, even when these involved programs and projects for the province.

“You can see the situation in Pampanga in terms of politics because we rarely see Among Ed in our activities in the region,” said Fajardo, also presidential adviser for Central Luzon.

Citing a recent tourism promotion campaign held for Central Luzon, Fajardo said most of Pampanga was not represented.

“Pampanga rarely participates in the activities for the region. That’s sad because Pampanga is biggest and is very near Metro Manila,” Fajardo lamented.

– With Marvin Sy, Ding Cervantes, Dino Balabo

She said Panlilio would also be gauged by the way he works with the local officials of the province.

Panlilio was plagued with a lack of support from local officials of Pampanga, most of whom are loyal to Mrs. Arroyo.

Panlilio often clashed with the mayors on allegations that they continue to allow jueteng operations in their areas.

“I guess it would be good to see how is Among Ed’s leadership in Pampanga and at the same time, his relationship with the other political leaders — from the vice governor to the board members and the mayors,” Fajardo said.

“They are ones who usually work with the governor so it would be best to ask them how he is as a governor,” she added.

Fajardo clarified Malacañang has no interest in Panlilio’s declaration to run.

She said the people would eventually make their choice in seeing the credentials of the candidates.

Former Bulacan congressman Wilfrido Villarama, on the other hand, urged Panlilio not to delve into politics anymore and retire from the priesthood after his term as governor ends next year.

“He should also leave politics for good as another vocation he does not understand,” said Villarama who claims to have financially supported Panlilio in the 2007 gubernatorial elections.

Villarama said Panlilio cannot qualify as a presidential bet and might end up being declared as a nuisance candidate.

According to Villarama, Panlilio and his party cannot field a complete set of candidates for next year’s elections.

“More importantly, God cannot be involved in this big joke because as a priest, Panlilio violated the Canon Law,” he said.