Tribunal to decide on Panlilio's petition

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – The Vatican has ordered the creation of a tribunal that would handle any petition for dispensation from priest-turned-governor Ed Panlilio.

The order came even as Panlilio clarified that he is willing to abandon his presidential bid if the Movement for Good Governance endorses another candidate after its primaries in September.

“That’s the gentleman’s deal, as long as the primaries are impartial,” Panlilio said.

San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said the Vatican issued the directive some two weeks ago. San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto heads the tribunal with Canon Law experts Monsignors Ed Pangan, Marius Roque and Marcelo Mandap as members.

David lamented the failure of Panlilio to first seek dispensation from priesthood before announcing his presidential plans.

He said Panlilio may just sign a prepared document on dispensation and submit it to the tribunal.

“This was what he should have done before announcing his presidential plans as a matter of simple propriety,” he said.

David said that through the tribunal, “the Holy See has given the diocese the authority to expedite cases of dispensation.”

It was not clear whether the Vatican’s directive was prompted by controversies surrounding Panlilio’s presidential plans, but David said it was part of the worldwide policy of the Catholic Church to decentralize some of its tasks. He noted that there are other long-pending petitions for dispensation in other parts of the world.

“It’s a tribunal empowered to act on cases of conflict in the realm of the church. It’s similar to the functions of a civilian court,” he explained.

David said that local Church hierarchy has been “hurt” by Panlilio’s pronouncement that he is “fighting for his priesthood” amid calls for him to seek dispensation.

“As a result, he makes it seem that we, including Apu Ceto (Archbishop Aniceto), are persecuting him. We can’t reach out to him anymore,” David said.

David recalled that when Panlilio decided to run for governor in 2007, he promised to return to the priesthood after his term or after reforming local politics and making way for a qualified and moral successor.

David said Panlilio failed to deliver on the two promises.

“He broke his own word when he said one term of three years lang siya. He doesn’t realize how he is hurting the Church with his behavior,” David told the Church-run Radio Veritas.

David, who also heads the archdiocesan office on priest discipline, cautioned Panlilio on his “interpretation of the will of God” which the latter has cited as reason for his presidential plans.

He stressed that such interpretation should “not disregard obedience to superiors which is part of the will of God and part of his dedication to priesthood.”

“He (Panlilio) was given a mere slap on the wrist when he was suspended by the archbishop when he pursued his gubernatorial plans,” David said.

Currently, he said Panlilio is not allowed to hold Mass or dispense the sacraments. Such prohibitions become permanent if Panlilio gets papal dispensation, according to David.

Outspoken Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz also assailed Panlilio for his vacillating attitude toward his priesthood.

“Now he is half-priest and half politician,” Cruz said, adding that Panlilio should have asked for dispensation when he decided to run for governor.

He stressed that he is not against Panlilio’s joining politics provided he sheds off his priestly vocation to become a full-time politician.

Panlilio may even get married and have a first lady if he wins the presidential race in 2010. – With Marvin Sy