KASAUP

AMONG ED MIGHT MOST LOIKELY TO RUN FOR A NATIONAL OFFICE

ILOILO CITY - Saying the current crop of presidential aspirants offer no real alternative for the people, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio yesterday said he is firming up his plans to run for a national position, including for president or vice president, in next year’s elections.

“We tell people to vote wisely. But how can we vote wisely if there are no choices?” Panlilio said in a speech at the 22nd Mid-Biennial Conference of the Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region Inc. here.

In an interview, Panlilio said while there were “real alternatives” emerging in local elections, there was no clear alternative for national elections, particularly for president and vice president.
“Many people feel that the faces they see are the ones responsible for the state of the Philippines,” the governor told the Inquirer.

This is why despite his preference to return to priesthood, he is firming up plans to extend his involvement in politics, Panlilio said.

“Most likely I will run for a national position—president or vice president,” said Panlilio.
But he said he is still in the process of discussions and meetings with supporters and friends.
He said while he made a promise that he will only serve for a term of three years as governor then return to priesthood, he is also considering the “clamor of some people” for him to continue serving in an elective post.

“I’m not turning my back on priesthood. But I have to be ready to sacrifice anything and everything for the sake of our beloved land,” he said.

Panlilio was suspended from performing priestly duties when he ran for governor in 2007. He defeated two administration candidates in a close contest.

Church officials, including Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), have earlier called on Panlilio to leave the priesthood if he intends to run for President in next year’s elections.

Lagdameo had said that Panlilio should leave priesthood to maintain the Church’s non-involvement in partisan politics.

But Lagdameo also had said that Panlilio’s openness to seek higher office “sends a message about the country’s political situation: that we badly need to address politically the many issues of graft and corruption in government.”