Panlilio not definite about political plans

By George Trillo

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga– Gov. Eddie Panlilio is as definite about abandoning his presidential plans in favor of Sen. Noynoy Aquino as not backing the gubernatorial bid of Sen. Lito Lapid or Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao.

“I am not supporting either of them,” Panlilio said in a telephone interview after Lapid, who belongs to Lakas-CMD, announced his plan to seek anew the gubernatorial post in next year’s elections.

Over a month ago, Guiao, who is with the Kilusan ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), also officially declared his gubernatorial bid.

Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, spokesman of Kampi, said the Pampanga Mayors’ League would support Guiao.

Panlilio said he has not made up his mind on whether to leave politics and return to full priesthood. San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto suspended his priestly powers after he opted to run for governor in the 2007 polls.
Panlilio admitted there are sectors that are urging him to run for senator, amid reports that Aquino’s Liberal Party is eyeing him in its senatorial slate.

But Panlilio said re-election would be out of his consideration if San Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez would seek the governorship.

Rodriguez, however, has not given any hints on his political options next year, although he is still on his second term as mayor of this capital town.

Rodriguez, one of the pillars of Lakas-CMD in Pampanga, played a significant role in the Senate impeachment trial of former president Joseph Estrada when he was a congressman.

Panlilio and Guiao have been at odds since their victories in the 2007 polls over various issues.
Panlilio has filed plunder charges against Lapid and his son, former governor Mark Lapid, over alleged anomalies in lahar quarry funds.

Guiao has also filed plunder charges against the Lapids before the Ombudsman on allegations that they pocketed millions of funds from lahar quarry operations.

With Lapid and Guiao announcing their gubernatorial plans, political observers said next year’s local elections would likely focus heavily on the lahar quarry fund issue.

In the recent press conference where he disclosed his gubernatorial bid, Lapid urged the media not to raise the lahar quarry fund scam, as he was once cleared of such charges.