Tuesday, September 02, 2008 17 priests support recall petition By Reynaldo G. Navales
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- About 17 members of the Pampanga clergy have expressed support to the recall petition against priest-turned-politician Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio.
A group of priests, who call themselves "prayer warriors," stated that they welcome the recall petition against the embattled governor.
In a meeting with officers of the Kambilan at Kapanalig Ning Masang Kapampangan, Incorporated (Kambilan), 17 priests from different Catholic parishes in the province signified their intention to sign the recall petition forms, which are now being circulated in the province.
Kambilan is gathering about 100,000 signatures, representing 10 percent of the total voting population of Pampanga, in order to realize a recall election before January 2009.
The priests who met with Kambilan officers at Max's Restaurant here were Monsignor Guido Aliwalas, retired priest; Fr. Joel Tubig of Pulung Masle, Guagua; Fr. Bogs Moraleja, Pampanga Chancery; Fr. Rudy de Guzman of Dolores, City of San Fernando; Fr. Rustom Tanglao of Anao, Mexico; Fr. Simeon Pabustan of Del Carmen, Floridablanca; Fr. Lyndon Valenton of San Jose, Floridablanca; Fr. Mar Miranda of the Bulaon Resettlement, City of San Fernando.
Others were Fr. Bong Gopez formerly assigned in San Isidro Guagua; Fr. Donatillo Ocampo; Fr. Eric de Guzman of the Manibaug, Porac; Fr. Miles Lacanlale of Minalin; Fr. Alfred David of Baliti, City of San Fernando; Fr. Rolando Lopez of Apalit; Fr. Gabriel Torres of the Madapdap Resettlement, Mabalacat; Fr. Jay Salvador; and Msgr. Jun Mercado of Lourdes, Angeles City.
The priests who were in the meeting were among the 30 priests under the Pampanga Prayer Warriors group.
It was learned that there are about 120 priests stationed in various parts of Pampanga.
The priests, however, clarified several issues with regard to the recall move with the officers of Kambilan.
Aliwalas, 84, was the oldest among the priests who came to sign the petition. He attended the meeting on a wheelchair.
Aliwalas was particular with the timeframe Kambilan has set for the proposed recall.
He added that they are supporting the recall not only as priests but also as Kapampangans who have their own constitutional rights.
Last week, members of the Provincial Board led by Vice Governor Joseller Guiao, expressed support behind the petition for recall.
Last Friday, Pampanga meat-processing magnate Lolita Hizon, who supported Panlilio in the May 2007 elections, also signed the recall petition.
Mercado said although not all of the 17 priests who came would sign the petition, they, as a group, welcome the recall move.
