CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Gov. Eddie Panlilio finally declared yesterday he is not running for senator in next year’s elections.
“It’s final now. I am concerned about Pampanga only,” he told Punto Central Luzon amid reports the Liberal Party (LP) of which he is now provincial chairman, had initially planned to include him in its senatorial slate.
As of yesterday, LP leaders still had to name three more of its 12 senatorial bets. There have been reports party leaders had invited Panlilio and Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca to join the slate.
Panlilio said that “I am now concerned on how to put up the Liberal Party in the province”.
Asked whether he is considering reelection, he replied, “not necessarily.” He, however, said that returning to full time priesthood has remained another option for him.
“We are still on a last minute search for a candidate (for governor),” he said. Sen. Lito Lapid and V ice Gov. Joseller Guiao had already announced their plan to run for governor in next year’s elections.
Lapid is with Lakas party, while Guiao is with Kampi, although their parties have already merged at the national level. There are also reports that former provincial board member Lilia Pineda will seek the governorship.
Lakas-Kampi-CMD party vice president for policy Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino said in an interview his merged party is determined to name only one common candidate at local levels.
Panlilio vowed to locally consolidate the party to offer Kapampangan voters “alternative and principled politics” amid prospects of a repeat of the 2007 polls scenario and possible congressional candidacy of Pres. Arroyo.
“I’m here to reestablish and consolidate LP as a party that will offer alternative and principled politics in Pampanga,” he said.
Panlilio also debunked fears that he would be abandoning his new political party should he opt to go back to full-time priesthood. His priestly powers were suspended when he decided to enter politics and run for governor.
“If I don’t run again, I believe I can still be of help to the LP in a different capacity,” he added.
In the 2007 elections, Panlilio won against reelectionist Mark Lapid whom he had accused of lahar quarrying anomalies and former provincial board member Lilia Pineda whose husband he linked to the illegal numbers game. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now hearing Pineda’s electoral protest against Panlilio who won over her by only 1,147 votes.
“It’s final now. I am concerned about Pampanga only,” he told Punto Central Luzon amid reports the Liberal Party (LP) of which he is now provincial chairman, had initially planned to include him in its senatorial slate.
As of yesterday, LP leaders still had to name three more of its 12 senatorial bets. There have been reports party leaders had invited Panlilio and Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca to join the slate.
Panlilio said that “I am now concerned on how to put up the Liberal Party in the province”.
Asked whether he is considering reelection, he replied, “not necessarily.” He, however, said that returning to full time priesthood has remained another option for him.
“We are still on a last minute search for a candidate (for governor),” he said. Sen. Lito Lapid and V ice Gov. Joseller Guiao had already announced their plan to run for governor in next year’s elections.
Lapid is with Lakas party, while Guiao is with Kampi, although their parties have already merged at the national level. There are also reports that former provincial board member Lilia Pineda will seek the governorship.
Lakas-Kampi-CMD party vice president for policy Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino said in an interview his merged party is determined to name only one common candidate at local levels.
Panlilio vowed to locally consolidate the party to offer Kapampangan voters “alternative and principled politics” amid prospects of a repeat of the 2007 polls scenario and possible congressional candidacy of Pres. Arroyo.
“I’m here to reestablish and consolidate LP as a party that will offer alternative and principled politics in Pampanga,” he said.
Panlilio also debunked fears that he would be abandoning his new political party should he opt to go back to full-time priesthood. His priestly powers were suspended when he decided to enter politics and run for governor.
“If I don’t run again, I believe I can still be of help to the LP in a different capacity,” he added.
In the 2007 elections, Panlilio won against reelectionist Mark Lapid whom he had accused of lahar quarrying anomalies and former provincial board member Lilia Pineda whose husband he linked to the illegal numbers game. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now hearing Pineda’s electoral protest against Panlilio who won over her by only 1,147 votes.
