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Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Clergyman to run for Pampanga guv
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A surprise political twist has come about in the province after a Catholic parish priest decided to be the "third force" in the race for Pampanga governor this May 14.
"The third force is Father Ed Panlilio, who will challenge Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid and Provincial Board Member Lilia Pineda in the gubernatorial derby this coming elections," said a leader of the Talete King Panyulung ning Kapampangan (TKPK) who asked not to be named.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
Panlilio was set to visit Archbishop Paciano "Apung Ceto" Aniceto Wednesday morning to ask for a leave of absence prior to filing a certificate of candidacy for governor at the provincial office of the Commission of Elections (Comelec).
The TKPK leader said Panlilio is the alternative leader that could change the political situation in the province.
Couples for Christ leaders told Sun.Star Pampanga that Panlilio's supporters have been doing the rounds to drum up support for the parish priest of Betis, Guagua.
"We really want change. We don't want traditional politicians," the TKPK leader said.
He revealed that various church leaders and members of non-government organizations (NGOs), including business leaders all over the province, have held a series of meetings and endorsed the priest to run for governor.
Sun.Star Pampanga went to the parish church in Betis, Guagua to get the reaction of Panlilio but he was not around.
It was learned that all parish priests in Pampanga were in a retreat at the Social Action Center of Pampanga (Sacop) with Aniceto a few days ago.
But a church leader in the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Barangay Dolores here believed that the gathering of priests in Sacop was held to tackle the fate of Panlilio.
Former seminarians of the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary were reportedly circulating text messages asking prayers for Panlilio.
Panlilio, who hails from San Nicolas, became well known in the province when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991.
He helped in distributing relief goods and saw to the other needs of Pinatubo victims who during that time were living in subhuman conditions in various evacuation centers in Pampanga. He was the head of Sacop until Fr. Deogracias "Deo" Galang replaced him. (DMF/BB of Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (March 28, 2007 issue)
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