Wednesday, March 28, 2007 Aguilar: Too late the hero By Ed Aguilar
ARE the clergymen in the archdiocese of San Fernando actively participating in the upcoming elections? Are they fielding their own candidate for governor in the person of Fr. Ed Panlilio, a native Minaleno?
If they are not, then the parishioners were taken for a ride. For the past few weeks, the secular priests have been making the rounds of the parishes in the province telling on the need for a third force in the gubernatorial race.
They are saying that Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid and Board Member Baby Pineda do not have the moral ascendancy to power. Too bad! They arrogate unto themselves the right to choose the better alternative in provincial governance. With them, there is no such thing as a lesser evil. How holy can they be! "E BALANG MAKASUTANA BANAL, ATIN MAPILAN KARELA KARNAL"
But if they are, then it's too late the hero. The names of serious contenders should float long before the certificates of candidacy are filed. Enough time is necessary for candidates to be known. Gaining media mileage has been very effective for name-recall. Look at how popular Baby and Mark are.
The ball started rolling for both much earlier. Since day 2 of the New Year, the Kampi Camp has been holding caucuses all over the place. A month later, the Lakas-CMD Party followed suit. "BALAK DA PALANG MAKIAMBULA, OBAT NGENI LA PA MU SASAPA?"
Given that Fr. Panlilio has decided to run, for sure he will go the distance. He has a lot of funds. But though he has it more abundantly, his chances of winning are as slim as the cigarette Hannah, the publisher smokes. It's not only because he trails behind by a mile. It's also because my Cabalen lacks the three major factors to win. These are the benefit factor, political machinery, and popularity in that order, according to the results of a recent election survey. "MENGARI YAMU KENG LIMBUN A MAKABANG MAKABA, KING PISAMBAN YA RIN SALANGI BISA KA'T E BISA"
Mr. Webster defines benefit as something that promotes or enhances well-being. It is a kindly deed. It is money freely given to those in need. Baby and Mark have been sharing their constituents with their material blessings. But, the priest always receive money as love offerings without giving a little of it away.
Benefit may also mean an authorized sanction in a religious rite. While the carnal Christians cohabit without the benefit of the clergy, the priests do not indulge in sexual relationship at all. The benefit of a doubt strikes them as a good idea though. "NUAN YA ING BABIE PERA, KESA KENG TATANGGAP NGARA"
Political machinery connotes a system that operates in a definable manner during the election period. Politicians devised it as means to achieve a desired result.
Baby and Mark have well-oiled political machineries that work to their advantage. Both can sling mud. Both can cut the priest down to size. Both can do a demolition job. But the priest can only avail of the pulpit in doing the trick to a limit. They can hardly express an opinionated endorsement inside the church. It is a sin to tell a lie, you know. "SAPINGAN DE WANAN A PISNGI, ENE AIBIE ING BANDANG KAILI"
Most everyone knew popularity as a state of being widely admired or accepted or sought after. The priest is widely admired as a shepherd that guides the sheep on paths of righteousness. He has a prepared seat in the spiritual realm but he cannot find a place in the political sun.
Mark is accepted as a fine actor, a charismatic leader, and a disinterested promoter of the public good. He does not care what people say of him. He just keeps on doing his best as a daily routine. Baby is much sought after obviously because of her generosity. She doles outs money like nobody's business. "MIYATASAN YANG SUMESE PAROKYANO, OBAT PAKIALAMAN NE ING KAPITOLYO"
All told, Canon law allows a priest to seek a political post "under extraordinary situation." But in such case, his "ministries" like officiating mass or dispensing sacraments have to be suspended. In other words, he can no longer be addressed - "Father." From then on, Mr. Ed will be pressing the flesh instead of laying his hands over the sick; he will caressing his audience with flying kisses instead of blessing them with Holy Water; he will be playing the practical instead of praying for a miracle. Some loyal flocks consider the course Mr. Ed will take as a great sacrifice. They equate it to the messianic agony. They deem it wise to call him the "best choice" and not the ladies' choice. "IBPA PATAWARAN MU LA ERA BALU ING DARAPTAN DA"
