Panlilio wants to become RP's first priest-turned-president

MANILA, Philippines - Ed Panlilio, the country’s second priest elected to public office, wants to be the next president of the Philippines. If the 55-year-old Pampanga governor wins, he will be the first member of the clergy to occupy Malacañang. He announced his intention to run in next year's national elections during Saturday’s launching of a political movement that will back up his candidacy. Panlilio is second to Fr. Margarito Gonzaga who was elected mayor of Alburquerque, Bohol in 1971 But Panlilio was quick to add that his intention was not yet his final decision. He said he wanted to gauge first the viability of his candidacy in terms of public acceptance and political machinery. “The question is viability. Ibig sabihin, ito ba ay aangat? Ito ba ay kakapit?... Ito ba ay kakagatin ng critical mass ng mga Pilipino upang ito ay maging pambansang paglulunsad? So 'yun po ang hinihintay ko," Panlilio told supporters who attended the launching of political organization Kilos Na! at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City. (The question is viability. That means, will it pick up? Will it stick? Will I get the support of the critical mass for a nationwide launch? That’s what I’m waiting for.) "If we can muster the numbers, it is just a matter of filing my candidacy. We are not suicidal. Kung hindi dadami ito (If I don’t get much support), I believe there is no point in pursuing it," he added. What will he do if ever he becomes the next president? Panlilio, who in 2007 claimed that brown paper bags containing P500,000 changed hands among officials who met President Arroyo in Malacañang, said the first thing he would do is to get rid of corruption primarily through leadership by example. Let me tell you, kung tayo po'y mananalo... 'yong assets ko po hindi po madadagdagan. Mananatili pong P250,000 'yon," he said. (Let me tell you, if I win, my assets worth P250,000 will stay the same.) No family to feed, no business to protect He said being incorruptible would be easier for him than other leaders and presidential aspirants because he has no family to feed and has no business interest to protect. "Wala akong pamilyang sinusustentuhan. Wala po akong negosyo. Ang nakita ko po kasi maraming naging presidente, hindi sila makapagpasya kahit gaano kabait nila kasi nakaipit sa business interests." "I will (only) be influenced by all of you who want good governance. I will not be influenced by corrupt officials," he added. Included in Panlilio’s agenda is the review of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement. Critics says the VFA is detrimental to the Philippines because the pact allows the U.S. government to retain jurisdiction over its military personnel accused of committing crimes in the Philippines. To tap Padaca Panlilio also promised that he would choose the right people to work with him should he win the presidential race. "Importante po diyan pag naupo po ang isang matino, malinis, masipag at tapat na presidente ng bansa na makapagpili po siya ng mga kasamahan na matitino rin," he said. (Once a good, clean, hardworking, and honest president assumes power, it’s important that he should be able to choose people who have qualities like him.) Panlilio said he was eyeing Isabela governor Ma. Gracia Cielo "Grace" Padaca as his vice presidential running mate in the 2010 polls. Panlilio might also ask Naga City mayor Jesse Robredo, Akbayan party-list Rep. Ana Theresia “Risa" Hontiveros and lawyer Alex Lacson to join his senatorial slate. This was according to Ifugao governor Teodoro Baguilat, convenor of Kilos Na! - GMANews.TV