Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Guv: I did not endorse Rodriguez By Jovi T. de Leon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio on Monday belied reports that he has endorsed or will endorse City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar "Oca" Rodriguez for governor of Pampanga come the 2010 elections or if ever the recall move poised against him by the Kapanalig at Kambilan Neng Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) pushes through.
Panlilio said he "does not remember endorsing Rodriguez or anybody else for the gubernatorial post," contrary to earlier reports where he was quoted as saying: "I think Mayor Rodriguez is my candidate for governor if ever I may be recalled by my political detractors or come the 2010 national elections."
In the same report, he professed his willingness to help "Mang Oca" get the province's highest post because of his "maturity in politics" and "good governance." Panlilio said it was "what was on his mind" if ever he decides to return to priesthood or run for a higher elective position.
Last week, over a cable talk show program, Panlilio denied endorsing Rodriguez, calling reports "that he did so" as "a lie."
The priest-turned-governor explained that he "may have been misunderstood" when he was asked by media on "who he thinks will best fit the province's chief executive position" after his term expires.
"You know, it's because many people ask me who I think is capable of being governor of the province. I can think of many people who can do the job," Panlilio remarked, adding that, "it is Mayor Rodriguez who first comes into my mind because of his exemplary performance in governing the City of San Fernando. As an example, he has made the city one of the best in the world according to Secretary Jesus Estanislao of the Institute of Solidarity for Asia. Probably, it is because Mayor Oca who comes to my mind first when asked about such a question, maybe that's why that came out in the news. But I have not endorsed him or anybody. It is too early for me to do that," Panlilio said.
His alleged endorsement of Rodriguez has gone under fire earlier, as his detractors said he was not in a position to endorse anybody, especially that he is the subject of a recall petition.
For his part, Rodriguez admitted earlier that he was "deeply honored" by the governor's intentions, but said he has no plans to run for governor and would rather focus on making the city a habitat for human excellence and a global gateway by the year 2015.
The city mayor said he will consider running for governor only if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or his political party would ask him to do so.
