MINALIN, Pampanga – Catholic priest and Governor Eddie Panlilio isn’t yet giving in to clamors for him to run as president in 2010 even as Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales saw no religious issue on the matter of a priest in politics.
Instead, Panlilio said he prefers to be playing the part of convenor now. He and several civic and religious leaders are initiating primaries to select the reform candidates for national positions in the 2010 elections.
Among those involved in the preparations are lawyer Alex Lacson and Fr. Melo Diola, he said.
“We’re doing the outline for a step-by-step process on how to go about the so-called primaries. Basically, there would be a visioning of what we like the Philippines to be in 15-20 years from now, list the qualities of candidates we’re looking for, track down their accomplishments, find bases of unity. We’re not starting with personalities,” said Panlilio, an advocate of good governance and moral leadership.
He said Dr. Nicanor Perlas, a practitioner of sustainable agriculture, has called him on Monday to say he was interested in running as president and if he could possibly be endorsed for that bid. He suggested that Perlas undergoes the selection process.
The reform movement, Panlilio said, could not afford to be fractious if it wants to make good leaders win and lead the country.
Panlilio said Rosales took a “more realistic, more authentic views” on his possible presidential bid.
The cardinal had said that the issue was not a religious one, but a question of character and qualification.
“The issue here is, ‘Is this a person of integrity? Is this a person who won’t cheat, won’t steal, won’t lie? Is this person compassionate? That will be the issue,” Rosales said on Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas on Monday.
“That’s beautiful. Kalawak na (Broad),” Panlilio said of Rosales’ views.
“The cardinal went to the essentials. He looked more at the substance that at the peripheries,” the governor added.
Earlier, San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto opposed the plan while Bishop Oscar Cruz and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo urged Panlilio to quit the priesthood if he intended to run for president.
Rosales had said that people asking a priest to run for the country’s highest public post, which he described as unprecedented, was a sign that Filipinos were fed up with the usual kind of politicians seen every elections.
Defining the priesthood, Panlilio said, “It is to live the life of Jesus in the world. He witnesses Jesus’ compassion, humility, simplicity, suffering, death and resurrection. It is offering of one’s self so that God and His kingdom may replace this kingdom.”
Talking of the hostile reactions he has been getting from politicians since the possible tandem of Panlilio and Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca as vice president were published, he said: “It’s a repeat of the 2007 elections on a larger scale this time.”
“I stick to my belief that I’m a bugo (a person helping a man during a courtship process) at this point. Luntu ya mu rin (The candidate will surface in time),” he added.
Instead, Panlilio said he prefers to be playing the part of convenor now. He and several civic and religious leaders are initiating primaries to select the reform candidates for national positions in the 2010 elections.
Among those involved in the preparations are lawyer Alex Lacson and Fr. Melo Diola, he said.
“We’re doing the outline for a step-by-step process on how to go about the so-called primaries. Basically, there would be a visioning of what we like the Philippines to be in 15-20 years from now, list the qualities of candidates we’re looking for, track down their accomplishments, find bases of unity. We’re not starting with personalities,” said Panlilio, an advocate of good governance and moral leadership.
He said Dr. Nicanor Perlas, a practitioner of sustainable agriculture, has called him on Monday to say he was interested in running as president and if he could possibly be endorsed for that bid. He suggested that Perlas undergoes the selection process.
The reform movement, Panlilio said, could not afford to be fractious if it wants to make good leaders win and lead the country.
Panlilio said Rosales took a “more realistic, more authentic views” on his possible presidential bid.
The cardinal had said that the issue was not a religious one, but a question of character and qualification.
“The issue here is, ‘Is this a person of integrity? Is this a person who won’t cheat, won’t steal, won’t lie? Is this person compassionate? That will be the issue,” Rosales said on Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas on Monday.
“That’s beautiful. Kalawak na (Broad),” Panlilio said of Rosales’ views.
“The cardinal went to the essentials. He looked more at the substance that at the peripheries,” the governor added.
Earlier, San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto opposed the plan while Bishop Oscar Cruz and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo urged Panlilio to quit the priesthood if he intended to run for president.
Rosales had said that people asking a priest to run for the country’s highest public post, which he described as unprecedented, was a sign that Filipinos were fed up with the usual kind of politicians seen every elections.
Defining the priesthood, Panlilio said, “It is to live the life of Jesus in the world. He witnesses Jesus’ compassion, humility, simplicity, suffering, death and resurrection. It is offering of one’s self so that God and His kingdom may replace this kingdom.”
Talking of the hostile reactions he has been getting from politicians since the possible tandem of Panlilio and Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca as vice president were published, he said: “It’s a repeat of the 2007 elections on a larger scale this time.”
“I stick to my belief that I’m a bugo (a person helping a man during a courtship process) at this point. Luntu ya mu rin (The candidate will surface in time),” he added.
