BEHIND THE SCENES

State and religion
Alfred P. Dizon

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said while there is no constitutional violation in the case of a priest getting elected into public office, there is clearly an infraction of the Universal Church Law.

In his web log posted on May 23, Cruz wrote certain objective policy concerns “begging for attention and resolution.”

“They are basically about the significance and implications brought about by the recent fact of a priest (becoming) governor or a governor-priest-elect-or whatever,” he said.
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Cruz said for the State, the Constitution forbids its adoption of an official religion for the Republic. He added for the Church, on the other hand, the universal Canon Law prohibits any cleric-deacon, priest and bishop from assuming any public office that partakes of the exercise of civil power.

“In the case of a priest taking over the exercise of the gubernatorial office or a province – or any higher or lower public officer for that matter – there is evidently no violation of the pertinent constitutional provision. But in the same case, there is clearly an infraction of the Universal Church Law,” he said

The prelate did not mention whom he was referring to. But Cruz’s statement came following the proclamation of Pampanga governor-elect Eddie Panlilio, who was suspended of his priestly duties after filing his certificate of candidacy.
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Cruz also cited the question of precedence, saying “in the event that the priest and governor, at the same time, decide to resign for whatever reason or to quit politics at the end of his term, there would be no issue if during his incumbency or at the end thereof, the priest eventually decides to ask for a dispensation from his obligations arising from the reception of sacred order.”

But there is a problem if he wants to resume his priestly ministry and if his bishop actually accepts him back as a priest in full standing before the Church, Cruz said.
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The separation of the church and the state had been a sticky question. But in the Philippine setting, maybe it is high time priests should have a more active role in governance provided they have the intelligence, education and training to dispense duties of the state.

Our system of government is seeping with corruption in all levels as revealed by many a watchdog. Maybe, there should be more priests in government agencies like the Commission on elections which people believe is ripe for an overhaul of its personnel and heads.

There should be more people in government like priests who are good examples of what a public servant should be. If the heads of agencies are not corrupt and are headed by men of integrity like priests, then their subalterns will follow. As a tagalong saying goes, “Ang mangga ay hindi namumunga ng bayabas.”

As cause-oriented groups say, if there are a lot of problems on how the government is being run, it is because some if not most heads of government are not doing their jobs right and are downright corrupt.
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It is because of these that it is worth interesting to see how governor-elect Fr. Eddie Panlilio would run the affairs of Pampanga, the President’s home province and considered the jueteng capital of the country. If he would be able to stop the numbers game, that would be an accomplishment considering that it is illegal.

But as of this time, Panlilio announced he doesn’t only want jueteng, stopped but also the government-sanctioned small town lottery (STL) stopped in this province. The priest must be knowledgeable about the game since according to him, “STL is cover-up for jueteng, so if we have stop jueteng, STL has to go, too.”

Re-elected Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeller” Guiao, whose Kampi running mate Lilia Pineda lost in the gubernatorial race, vowed to support Panlilio’s call to wipe out the illegal numbers game.
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Guiao, however, said the provincial board has approved the current STL operation in the province and if the STL permit has to be renewed under the new provincial administration, then it will have to be approved again by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, but the new governor can veto it.

According to Guiao, the vetoed STL proposal can again be approved and take into effect should three-fourths of the board members support it. He said he would seek alternative livelihood for jueteng workers as well as those involved in STL operations should the legal numbers game also be stopped.

Police authorities in Central Luzon , including Pampanga police director Senior Superintendent Keith Singian, have admitted that jueteng operators use STL as front for their activities.
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Now Panlilio is saying he has heeded the advice of his supporters so now, he wears a bullet-proof vest and spends his nights in undisclosed places due to threats to his life even after the elections. His days of wearing a cassock are over – for now as he has to attend to more real life situations than be confined in the comforts of his church.

Singian said there was “no confirmation” that more threats hound Panlilio, so he advised him to “relax”. I don’t know what kind of police officer Singian is since seemingly, he takes security lightly.

“If anything happens to him (Panlilio), the suspect will be obvious,” Singian told newsmen but did not elaborate. At present, he said five policemen continue to provide security to the new governor.

Panlilio must now be realizing that preaching from the pulpit is different from confronting the harsh realities of life as a public official. People are saying how upright and dignified Panlilio is -- something we couldn’t say of other high priests in other religious denominations like the Anglicans who know how to sell and grab lands that are not theirs. Bato bato sa langit ang tamaan huwag magalit, magdasal na lang at magbago.Anyway to Panlilio – good luck Father – err Sir.
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I got an email from the office of reelectionist Sen. Edgardo Angara saying, “Now that the election is over, let us all get to work, united as one body committed to the welfare of our country.”

This statement of Angra wouldn’t have landed in this column if not for the indefatigable Swanny Dicang who treated us along with Ramon Dacawi at a village beside a beach in La Union last week. I was kidding Manong Swanny, he is the Angara of the Cordillera if the latter is not around and he answered with a grunt. So for those who would like to win next elections, get the services of Manong Swanny who has the vigor of a 20-year old. Nothing beats experience as he would always say with a hearty laugh.

Anyway, in the email, Angara asked the nation “to exorcise the spirit of negativism so we can move forward, not hobbled by the animosity caused by politicking. National politicians should set an example of unity because the local leaders, taking the cue, will follow.”

The senator said this is important because the country is presented with opportunity in the next three years as all economic indicators are very favorable, and this should trigger an economic renaissance.

“The country must seize this opportunity to grow and prosper, meaning that politicians of all stripes must work together and present a hospitable climate to investors,” he said, adding “Let’s not miss this event because of political bickering.”

Angara said it is now, not later, that the leaders must secure the future because our population will hit the 100-million mark in three years and “we are becoming less and less competitive,” which is stopping progress, while “globalization rolls inexorably on. We got to arrest it (the decline) because we will never be able to survive the new globalized economy with millions of ill-trained, worst, maltrained population,” he said, calling for an upgrade in science and mathematics education.

Angara said that whatever the result of the election must be ennobling to all: “The losers must have the wisdom and fortitude to accept defeat and the winners must have the grace and humility to embrace victory so that we can put this election behind us and face the future with renewed devotion to the welfare of the people.”