Bishop: No turning back for Panlilio once dispensed from clerical duties

MANILA, Philippines – Once dispensed from his clerical duties due to his bid for the presidency, there’s no turning back for priest-turned-Pampanga-governor Eddie Panlilio – he can no longer officiate in Masses and other sacraments for the rest of his life, a senior Catholic bishop said Sunday. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said Panlilio must seek a dispensation (from the Pope) because Church laws bar priests from running for public office. “Pag siya tumakbo bilang presidente, kailangan maghingi ng dispensation. ‘Di lang suspension, kundi dapat dispensation - aalisin lahat ‘yong katungkulan niya bilang cleric. Dispensation lasts for your full life. Tapos na ‘yong pagiging kleriko niya," Cruz said in a interview on dzBB radio. [He should seek a dispensation if he runs for president. He should not just be suspended, he should be dispensed of his clerical duties. A dispensation lasts for your life, you’re no longer a cleric.] Cruz, however, clarified that what can be dispensed is the clerical state and not the priesthood. Panlilio, who served the Church for 26 years, was suspended by his superior San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto from his duties in 2007 after he filed candidacy for the gubernatorial post. Last Saturday, he bared his intent to throw his hat in the 2010 presidential ring, saying he would target corruption and review military relations with the United States should he win. The governor made the announcement during the launch of the Kilos Na! movement, which was organized by the Kaya Natin movement, of which Panlilio is a proponent. “Let me challenge our supporters, those who believe in us, to come out in the open, for people who would like to work for good governance and ethical leadership," he said during the event. 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. Cruz however doubts if Panlilio could muster sufficient backing to win in next year’s elections. “Saan siya kukuha ng machinery [Where will he get the political machinery]?" Cruz said. The prelate recounted how Pampanga’s local officials who had supported his 2007 gubarnatorial bid have now expressed dissatisfaction with the way he run the province. Cruz likewise said that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) would not support Panlilio’s imminent presidential candidacy. “Hindi puwedeng suportahan ang candidacy niya, bawal sa batas namin. Kahit na sabihing pari siya, ‘di pwedeng lalabagin namin ang aming batas," he said. [We cannot support a political candidate because it’s against our laws. Yes, Panlilio may be a priest, but the CBCP cannot violate its own rules.] - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV