‘God is calling me to run for president’ – Pampanga gov

Priest-turned-Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio on Tuesday declared “God is calling" him to seek the presidency next year, as he announced his intention to file his candidacy in late November even if it would mean leaving his religious vocation.

Panlilio, who is on leave from priesthood, firmed up his presidential bid at the weekly forum organized by the Catholic Media Network in Intramuros, Manila, Tuesday afternoon.

The 55-year old Panlilio previously shied away from a categorical statement he was running, saying that “the question is viability."

“Well, yes that’s it," Panlilio later told GMANews.TV early Tuesday night in a phone interview. He added that he is set to ask formal dispensation from the church on November so he can file his certificate of candidacy (COC) on or before November 30.

Panlilio explained that formal dispensation means that all the faculties of priesthood would be removed from him.

“Ibig sabihin niyan hindi na ako pwedeng mag-misa, magbigay ng mga sacraments (This means I can no longer celebrate Mass and administer sacraments)," he said. Church Laws prohibit clerics from seeking public office.

Promising to attack corruption and review military relations with the United States, Panlilio has been calling on Filipinos to support his candidacy for president in next year’s elections.

“There had been groups telling me to run for the presidency and I thought I would pray again. After a period of discernment, I said, yes, God is calling me to run for the presidency," Panlilio told reporters at the forum.

Panlilio said that while he loves the Church, the public is in need of a leader who could give them good governance.

Unlike other politicians, Panlilio said he has no political agenda, no business interest to protect, and no family to feed. “I can serve full time."

He also expressed confidence that despite his meager experience of less than three years in local office, he could find ways to uplift the current state of the country.

“When I decided to offer myself [as candidate] I felt at peace. I’m doing this not for me, not for myself. I felt God wanted me to go on a higher service," he said.

Panlilio’s announcement is expected to elicit criticism from his superiors, who had earlier told him to seek dispensation should he run again for public office. The Catholic Church relieved Panlilio of his priestly duties when he ran for governor in Pampanga in 2007.

Panlilio cited love for the country as the reason he decided to finally run for the highest office in the land and leave the priesthood.

“This priesthood that I love so much, I’m willing to give up for a greater love and that’s love for the country. For me the heart of priesthood is accepting the love of God and working for other people especially the poor," he said.

If he becomes president, Panlilio said, among the country’s problems that he will address are lack of livelihood, malnutrition, corruption, hunger, and insurgency.

On previous occasions, he has also promised to review military relations with the United States, including the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement, if he wins the presidency.

“I call on all supporters of good governance and ethical leadership in the country to support this candidacy and campaign. I’m asking all the Kapampangans and all those who believe in me and in this campaign, let’s work together because this is for you," Panlilio said.

In case he loses, Panlilio said he plans to go back to priesthood should his superiors accept him back.

But Lingayen-Dagupan Bishop Oscar Cruz said once Panlilio is dispensed from the priesthood, he can never return.

“Kung hindi nila ako tatanggapin, patuloy [pa rin] ako sa pagtulong ng tao. Kabilang ako sa NGO na tumutulong sa maliliit na negosyo (If they will not accept me I will still help the people. I am a member of an NGO that provides assistance to small businesses)," Panlilio said.

GMANews.TV