Suspended Catholic priest announces run for Philippines presidency

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Archbishop Oscar Cruz/ Suspended priest Eddie Panlilio

Manila, Philippines, Jul 22, 2009 / 05:53 am (CNA).- Suspended Catholic priest Eddie Panlilio, current governor of the central Philippines province of Pampanga, has decided to run for the country’s presidency in 2010 and to seek dispensation from his priestly obligations.

Speaking at a weekly forum organized by the Catholic Media Network in Manila, Panlilio said he intended to file his candidacy by the November 30 legal deadline.

He remarked that he was ready for “all the consequences, including dispensation from the priesthood,” the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports.

Panlilio was suspended from the priesthood when he sought and won the Pampanga governorship in 2007, defeating a close ally of Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He said he would formally request dispensation from the Church sometime between August and November, adding that he would want to be reinstated into the priesthood if he loses.

"This priesthood that I love so much, I'm willing to give up for a greater love and that's love for the country," he said.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz, head of the Catholic bishops’ dispensation office, said Panlilio will be released from his priestly obligations the moment Pope Benedict XVI dispenses him.

The archbishop added that the suspended priest should have sought dispensation during his 2007 gubernatorial campaign. He expressed hope Panlilio should seek dispensation because it is “the right thing to do.”

“He will be sparing Catholic voters ... and priests from being divided,” Archbishop Cruz remarked.

According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Panlilio said he felt “at peace” when he decided to offer himself as a presidential candidate.

“I’m doing this not for me, not for myself. I felt God wanted me to go on a higher service,” he said. “I have said time and again I have no political agenda. There have been groups telling me to run for the presidency and thought I would pray again. After a period of discernment, I said, yeah, God is calling me to run for the presidency.”

If elected, Panlilio said, he would focus on issues such as people’s livelihood, malnutrition, corruption, food sufficiency and insurgency.

Panlilio also had no plans to marry. If he wins the election, he suggested, one of his sisters can serve as the Philippines’ First Lady.

Comments: 13

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Uzisero
Philippines 07/31/2009 02:08 AM EST

San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto (Panlilio’s immediate superior who strongly objected when he ran for governor in 2007): "He is drifting from his original priestly mission. A priest is a servant of the city of God, not of the city of man." /1

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz: "When his supporters say that he is the only one qualified to run for president, it is impossible that among so many Filipinos there is no one principled, there is no one qualified to become president.”

Banjo Serrano (Laity, Guagua Parish Pastoral Council President): "Return to the priesthood and lead the laity in the crusade for good governance and moral leadership."

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/1 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090719-216123/Priest-turned-governor-angers-prelates

Published by: Fredom
Phils 07/28/2009 09:43 PM EST

"This priesthood that I love so much, I'm willing to give up for a greater love and that's love for the country." Reading this statement from Fr. Ed curls up in my stomach. If he is trying to please the "political" listener or reader in exchange for his priestly calling, then he is slowly and precariously heading towards traditional politics in the Philippines. But judging from the sincere intentions of his heart he could just probably be a poor craftsman of words. But I believe in his sincerity. (I don't live in his province, I am from the Visayas.) His records in "politics" since 2007 is showing some light for the country. Why should it take a priest to be a president?

Published by: Pons Yandoc
Los Angeles, Ca., USA 07/23/2009 05:16 PM EST

Fr. Eddie Panlilio is the man, the savior God is sending to the Philippines to stop all "evils" in the Philipine government and politics. Please let us support him.

Published by: James
USA 07/23/2009 03:23 PM EST

This statement: "This priesthood that I love so much, I'm willing to give up for a greater love and that's love for the country," seems to be causing a lot of consternation for some. Perhaps those people should have read the entire article and concentrated on this quote: “After a period of discernment, I said, yeah, God is calling me to run for the presidency.”
Yes, Panlilio could have chosen better words to express his feeling that he is called to serve a political role as a member of the laity, but his statement in no way says he is placing his love of country over his love of God.

I have no knowledge of this man’s true motivation, but if we are going to parse words, let’s consider the entire body of quotes and keep things in context. It might also be a good idea to not be so quick to judge.

If there are real reasons to question this man's motivation's, by all means bring them into the discussion. Otherwise, let's avoid making assumptions based on taking a poorly worded quote of context.

Published by: Antony Mulavarikal
Kochi, Kerala, India 07/23/2009 05:34 AM EST

I humbly make this sugession regarding Fr. Panilio that,the greatest on earth is serving our BELOVED GOD.If Rev. Father feels so it si highly appreciated. And I do pray for his future venture, it may with God centred actions.

Thanks a lot for this oppertunity.

With God's Love

Antony Mulavarikal, India

Published by: lome
SJCA. USA 07/23/2009 02:54 AM EST

Dignitas Personae begins,
“The dignity of a person must be recognized in every human being from conception to natural death.”
Pope Benedict XVI

This one statement alone can solve lots of world’s problems!

One more thing, I know you read this kind of statement, when a lot of them, who are equally very
Bright, smart, cunning, astute, but has dead souls….

Again, May God Bless our Beloved Philippines, May you be the man?
A Nationalist, with Hoy fear and Love for God, The one who can be above corruptions.
Holiness attracts souls. You can rally all Catholics to Christ and Good Governance.

Let us not forget, Power corrupts!

Published by: lome
SJCA. USA 07/23/2009 02:53 AM EST

Panlilio running for president?
I think I was too late to talk to you about your priestly calling?
I still believe that a priest is above an ordinary man.
But among politicians your knowledge in the spiritual warfare,
The power of prayer, your, honest intentions, your desires to stay
Above corruptions, your uncompromising faith in the supreme law of God
To that of men’s law, will be a big, big plus.
Holiness attracts souls. You can rally all Catholics to Christ and Good Governance.

You will be a fair game!
God didn’t pick David to build his Temple on Earth because of too
Much blood in his hands. Are you ready for this?
Are you ready to compromise?
Are you ready to be politically correct?”
Are you ready to belong to this community of conscience?
To line up your political agendas to their worldly Doctrines?
Not everyone is Christian, nevertheless, they are entitled
To equality in the constitution.

Published by: Sad Catholic
AZ 07/23/2009 02:09 AM EST

What could more powerful than the ability to transform bread and wine to the body and blood of Christ. Nothing! God bless all priests. Please protect them. St. John Vianney, help all priests.

Published by: Angela Evans
UK 07/23/2009 12:54 AM EST

Eddie Panlilio says "This priesthood that I love so much, I'm willing to give up for a greater love and that's love for the country,".

All of you who support his decision, are fools. Love for God is the only thing we should live for. If you are a priest, then you should know the scriptures better and me.

Jesus says, "what use is it for a man to loose his soul and gain the whole world".

To this individual I say, "you belong to the tribe of Royal Priesthood, a line to which only a few chosen ones are called, you are called by God to love Him and to serve Him for the rest of your life. I think you should go and meditate by yourself and search what you are really called to. At the moment your mind is all garbled. Please do not give up your priesthood for the sake of worldy glory. Politics is all a big farse. As President, you will be the most important man (if elected)for a few years, but you will be one of God's chosen servants if you remain a priest. Besides, if you loose your elections you think returning back to priesthood is a cake-walk? You are treating the Royal Priesthood as a convenience.

You could contact me at : papapy_55@yahoo.co.uk

Published by: Robert
New York 07/22/2009 07:13 PM EST

This is the first time I have heard of him. However, the following quote from him is interesting. "This priesthood that I love so much, I'm willing to give up for a greater love and that's love for the country." If that is true then either he has a poor understanding of the priesthood. It is one of the greatest ways of helping others and has eternal consequences. To say that the love of country is more important is like saying I love someone more than God. That doesn't work as God is the source of all true love. The things he says he is fighting for are important but the salvation of human beings is more important. He seems to forget that part. The priesthood is an immense honor and privelege but it is a call to servitude. As such the priest gives up his own plans and desires in a sense and submits all to God. To seek a dispensation from that is very serious. It would be better for him to advocate the candidacy of a Godly lay person. Then he could remain in the service of God and (presuming his judgement is sound) a righteous candidate could be put forth who could be elected. Otherwise this is not a good situation and he is willfully confusing many people and is confused himself. Also the article did not state that he is against abortion.Just because he is a priest does not mean he obeys the Church on that issue.From his previous behavior it would be difficult to label him as obedient to the Church.He should have sought a dispensation a long ago.We should pray for his soul.

Published by: Edgar Faune
United States 07/22/2009 05:40 PM EST

God did not forsake our country and now He is sending His gift through Among Ed. Filipinos this is our time to decide what do we want for our country. Let us have a righteous man to govern us and our country.

Published by: William Green
New York, NY, USA 07/22/2009 01:17 PM EST

Let us pray for Fr. Eddie as he takes his vocation in the Church to a new ground, and seeks new ways of protecting that which our Lord has taught us to value: human life in all of its stages. May God Bless Fr. Eddie.

Published by: Celia
NJ USA 07/22/2009 11:07 AM EST

God's will be done. Let's put the Philippines under God's hand and guidance-to stop corruption and helping the poor and needy. Repentance to those who took advantage of the poor people. PEACE

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