CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Gov. Eddie Panlilio said he will leave permanently his priesthood should he file his presidential candidacy on Nov. 30 and that Dagupan City Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who has been vocal against priests in politics, will help him obtain “dispensation” from the church authorities.
But Panlilio clarified to Punto that he has not made any categorical decision on whether to run for president.
“They (supporters) are very insistent that I declare my presidential candidacy and they even launched Kilos Na for this. I suppose actions speak louder than words. I have been attending presidential forums,” Panlilio said when asked by Punto whether he has made any categorical declaration of his presidential plans.
Panlilio evaded making any categorical statement by citing that other presidential aspirants, citing senators Mar Roxas and Richard Gordon, have also not made any categorical declaration they would run for president despite common knowledge of their being “presidentiables”.
“We must check on the viability. We are not suicidal,” he said, noting that he has still no funds to carry out a presidential campaign.
He noted that as of the moment, his assets are only worth about P250,000 which, he noted is the combine value of this Toyota Revo 1999 model and a 100 cc. Yamaha motorcycle. “They should cost a little more, but depreciation has reduced their value to about P250,000,” he said.
“The ball is really in the hands of supporters. We have put up chapters in the provinces,” he said.
Panlilio, who has remained officially a priest of the Catholic church although with his priestly powers suspended since he decided to run for governor of this province in the 2007 elections, said he intends to seek dispensation from priesthood if he seeks the country’s highest office.
“It will be a sacrifice for the country. I know people will understand,” he said.
He also said he and Cruz, an expert in Canon Law, have already talked that Cruz agreed to help him seek dispensation from his priestly vows.
Asked whether such dispensation would be a permanent abandonment of his priestly ministry, Panlilio replied “yes”.
“I can apply go become a priest again some day, but I can not be sure of being readmitted,” he added.
Earlier, Panlilio cited three factors which, he said, would enlighten him on his quandary on whether to seek the presidency. These include the lack of a credible presidential candidate, a groundswell of support for his candidacy, and financial backing.
“They (supporters) are very insistent that I declare my presidential candidacy and they even launched Kilos Na for this. I suppose actions speak louder than words. I have been attending presidential forums,” Panlilio said when asked by Punto whether he has made any categorical declaration of his presidential plans.
Panlilio evaded making any categorical statement by citing that other presidential aspirants, citing senators Mar Roxas and Richard Gordon, have also not made any categorical declaration they would run for president despite common knowledge of their being “presidentiables”.
“We must check on the viability. We are not suicidal,” he said, noting that he has still no funds to carry out a presidential campaign.
He noted that as of the moment, his assets are only worth about P250,000 which, he noted is the combine value of this Toyota Revo 1999 model and a 100 cc. Yamaha motorcycle. “They should cost a little more, but depreciation has reduced their value to about P250,000,” he said.
“The ball is really in the hands of supporters. We have put up chapters in the provinces,” he said.
Panlilio, who has remained officially a priest of the Catholic church although with his priestly powers suspended since he decided to run for governor of this province in the 2007 elections, said he intends to seek dispensation from priesthood if he seeks the country’s highest office.
“It will be a sacrifice for the country. I know people will understand,” he said.
He also said he and Cruz, an expert in Canon Law, have already talked that Cruz agreed to help him seek dispensation from his priestly vows.
Asked whether such dispensation would be a permanent abandonment of his priestly ministry, Panlilio replied “yes”.
“I can apply go become a priest again some day, but I can not be sure of being readmitted,” he added.
Earlier, Panlilio cited three factors which, he said, would enlighten him on his quandary on whether to seek the presidency. These include the lack of a credible presidential candidate, a groundswell of support for his candidacy, and financial backing.
