Panlilio to appeal to Vatican if Church won't take him back

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- If he ends up defrocked by the Church because of his foray into politics, priest-on-leave and Pampanga Gov. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio said he would contest the decision and even appeal to the Vatican.

“I would contest because there were previous cases wherein priests left (the priesthood) because they wanted to serve their mothers. In my case, I do not only want to serve my mother but the motherland,” Panlilio said.

“Why were the others allowed to return, but with me, they are against my return?”
Panlilio has often said that despite joining politics as governor of Pampanga two years ago, in his heart he remains a priest.

He said his joining politics was a “big sacrifice.” “Actually, if I lose (in the 2010 elections) I would want to become a priest if possible. I only did this (ran for governor) because our countrymen have been burdened and that is why we have to show that we love our country, even if it would mean making this big sacrifice,” he said.

Panlilio is said to be aiming for the presidency in 2010 but he has yet to make a formal announcement.

He said he is confident he would be able to defend his position before his superior, San Fernando, Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto.

The priest-turned-governor has been receiving flak from his confreres in the Church because of his high-profile political exposure.

But he said the negative comments coming from some of the bishops were borne out of their love for him.

Aniceto rejected the idea of Panlilio running for president.

“I would decide when it is time for the filing of certificate of candidacy because I am still looking at the viability and if the support is sufficient. I still have until Nov. 30, so I am looking at my ability to win,” Panlilio said.

He added that he only wants to fulfill the will of the Lord. “If he wants me to continue (with politics), then I will continue.”

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who is a Canon Law expert, said Panlilio has a choice to ask for dispensation from Rome or he may be dismissed from the priesthood by the Pope if he is found to have committed gross and errant behavior but refuses to seek dispensation.

“There is a formal judicial process in the documentation of dismissal cases. When thus penalized, a priest is commonly said to be ‘defrocked’ – thrown out of the clerical state and thereby also dispensed from his canonical obligations,” Cruz added.

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.

Cruz also said Panlilio does not have the political machinery to win a presidential election.
“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.

No chance

With his lack of political machinery, there’s no way Panlilio can win the presidency in 2010, according to Speaker Prospero Nograles.

For a candidate to win, Nograles said “you have to be popular, acceptable and have the machinery.”

“Maybe he is dreaming he has a chance,” Nograles told reporters after attending a forum at the Manila Hotel.

Panlilio on Saturday hinted at running in next year’s national elections during the launching of “Kilos Na” movement, a political organization that is likely to serve as vehicle for his political plans.

Panlilio is better off running as president than as governor because he is all over the national media but is rarely seen in his home province, presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo said.

“First of all, there is no legal impediment for him to run for president in 2010. There is no law barring him to do such, so he may very much run for president just like the others,” he said.

The young Arroyo also said he believes the priest-turned-politician has a “better chance of winning a national position than seeking re-election, since 85 percent of his local supporters here have publicly deserted him.”

“Most of his (Panlilio’s) supporters now are based in other areas outside of Pampanga,” Rep. Arroyo said.

“So for me, it would be a better decision for him to run for a national post including that of the presidency.”