Newsbreak: Fr. Eddie Panlilio: Pampanga’s Best or Church’s Disgrace?

Newsbreak: San Simon, Pampanga - It is easy to get carried away by the gubernatorial candidacy of Pampanga Catholic priest Eddie Panlilio. The exceptional support generated by the province’s poster boy for alternative politics has been widely reported in the media. Rich and poor, the influential and the ordinary, contribute their share to his campaign. Some have described Panlilio’s candidacy as Pampanga’s version of people power, which is not entirely without basis. Panlilio is up against two powerful interests: the incumbent Governor Mark Lapid and board member Lilia “Baby" Pineda. Both represent traditional politics, powered by money and patronage. But his candidacy is double edged, as it has shown the influence of the Church as well as its divisions and weaknesses. Panlilio has unwittingly divided the Church, one bishop told Newsbreak. His critics, including from the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, say Panlilio is an “embarrassment" to the Church. “He is showing a bad example to his fellow priests that it is okay to abandon your priestly vocation in favor of ambition," the bishop said. “And we are not trained for politics." Open Target Under Church laws, priests and bishops may not assume public positions that exercise civil power, a tenet in the separation of Church and State. In the Philippines, this Church prohibition has been challenged by other priests, running for elections anyway but, so far, none has won. In this election, two other men of the cloth, one in Zamboanga and in Marinduque, are also seeking election. But Panlilio’s case dwarfs the other two, given the fact that pundits are giving him a good chance of winning. He could be the first Catholic priest to win an election. One risk of entering a political campaign is that the candidate opens himself to personal attacks. Panlilio is an open target and this poses a problem, the bishop interviewed by Newsbreak said. Any mudslinging could affect his colleagues and the Church by extension—and reopen old wounds. For instance, shortly after he joined the race, text messages circulated that Panlilio allegedly had romantic flings and sired children. Panlilio has denied the allegation, but the bishop maintains it is not without basis. The prelate pointed out that violations of the vow of celibacy have been a recurring problem among Pampanga priests, with 43 (out of 120 or so), involved in relationships or having children. The allegation against Panlilio has again highlighted this problem among the clergy in the province. Panlilio admitted his romantic liaisons before a group of Protestant pastors who grilled him in one meeting where Newsbreak was present. The pastors, members of the Jesus is Lord Movement, were considering supporting Panlilio. One pastor asked Panlilio if the rumor that the priest has a family is true. Without confirming or denying the affairs, Panlilio replied: “I have had my mistakes. Who does not?" He was categorical however in denying he had sired children. Because of his past liaisons, the bishop doubts that Panlilio would be able to run the provincial government with a moral high ground. “His past and present relationships would be among those who will take part in dividing the spoils." Panlilio acknowledged that other fellow priests “think differently, but many are supportive of me." His superior, Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, “respects my decision" although he suspended Panlilio’s priestly functions, like saying mass and hearing confessions. If he loses, Panlilio said he can go back to being a priest. Alternative Candidate He has quite successfully packaged himself as the alternative moral candidate, though. Panlilio, 53, has scored a coup against his two rivals, who are burdened by image problems. Lapid, 29, is hobbled by corruption issues, particularly on quarrying, and Pineda, 55, is besieged by persistent rumors that she is running her campaign on jueteng money. Pineda is married to alleged jueteng lord Rodolfo “Bong" Pineda. In contrast with Lapid and Pineda, Panlilio said he has no money to spend. Describing his bid as a “people’s and a divine crusade," his campaign is fueled by volunteers and supporters from different sectors. For example, in San Simon town where Newsbreak joined his sortie, people of all ages and from all walks of life pooled their resources to come up with a motorcade. It was a campaign that could rival a well-organized machinery. Panlilio brought only a truck with an improvised stage and a back-up vehicle but his motorcade grew to more than 20 vehicles courtesy of his followers. They also provided the warm bodies, ensuring a fiesta atmosphere. The public gleefully strutted his streamers and chanted Panlilio’s pet name, “Among," as his motorcade passed by. His posters are proudly displayed in many houses, from the grandiose to the modest ones. At the town plaza where the sortie eventually wound up, supporters managed to transform the place into a decent convention, with entertainment to boot, provided by the local church youth group. It was an altogether different but bigger crowd that was lured days before by Pineda, who staged her rally at the same plaza. One of those who attended Pineda’s rally, tricycle driver Bernardo Sampang, 54, told Newsbreak that Pineda gave away P300 to every member of the tricycle driver’s association. Sampang got the money, but said he would not still vote for Pineda. “After the elections, how is she going to get back her money?" Sampang said in Pilipino. “At least I know that Among is not throwing away money." As for Lapid, Sampang said he had three years to prove his worth but was found wanting. “Among is a priest and I know he will not do anything to disgrace his vocation," Sampang concluded. Accidental Politician To use his own words, Panlilio is “an accidental politician," thrust into the limelight “because of the clamor of the people for an alternative candidate." Pampanga Bishop Pablo David said Panlilio “did not see it coming." David, a supporter of Panlilio, said a multi-sector group, composed of the academe, businessmen, lay and Church leaders, did not like the gubernatorial race limited to Lapid and Pineda. “They were concerned that dirty money would be the very bone of contention in the election. This group wanted to push for a third candidate, one that is decent." David said they approached several prominent cabalens to contest the race. They include David’s brother, professor Randy David, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, former public works secretary Jose “Ping" de Jesus, former National Economic and Development Authority chair Dante Canlas and Pampanga Chamber of Commerce president Rene Romero. But there were no takers. With the deadline for the filing of candidacy fast approaching, the group became desperate until finally, Panlilio’s name cropped. The priest declined the offer at first, insisting that he is not cut for the challenge. He gave in, he said, after a “period of discernment." David said the initial objective “was not to win but to make a statement." Panlilio worried about the logistical challenge ahead, but his concerns were quashed when people’s support snowballed. “I did not expect the people’s support to be of this magnitude." Donations poured in, from the locals and those based abroad. His website, amonged.org., announced his dollar bank account, obviously for the benefit of those outside the country. The more generous gave from P5,000 to P1 million, Panlilio says. Others reprinted his campaign materials and printed campaign t-shirts while some volunteered their time and services. Mismanaged Funds? On the issue of governance and accountability, one thing haunts Panlilio. The bishop said Panlilio mismanaged the Catholic Church’s Social Action Center of Pampanga (Sacop) funds for the Mt. Pinatubo victims. As Sacop executive director then, Panlilio put the funds, amounting to millions, in a rural bank, with high interest yield. The rural bank closed, with the Church failing to get the money. But David said Panlilio should not be faulted, saying the Church was swindled by a self-styled philanthropist, Willy Vergara, who owned the bank. “Besides, the board approved the placement of the money with the bank." Vergara has since gone into hiding. By his own admission, Panlilio “was not trained to become a politician" although he had decades of exposure in parish and social action work. Aside from his involvement in Sacop, he also helped organize the Pampango, an alliance of non-government organizations, and the Talete Ning Panyulung Kapampangan Inc.which is involved in micro-enterprises. Yet, the management of a local government unit is a more complex matter, and Panlilio’s lack of preparation shows. Unlike incumbent Lapid for instance, Panlilio’s program of government is wanting in substance. In a meeting with Protestant pastors, Panlilio said he will observe and practice “truthfulness, industry, public Christian service and dedication" and restore good governance, accountability and innovation in Pampanga politics. He said he would actively tap the services of local development councils, the NGOs, and people’s organizations to help fine tune his platform of government. Asked by one pastor how Pampanga would be in three years if he becomes governor, Panlilio said there would have been a “substantial reduction in corruption, more jobs, better infrastructure and improved peace and order." He said he would lead by example by not accepting commissions from government contracts and jueteng money. He said he would try to eradicate jueteng in three years. Asked if he is convinced that he could run the provincial government efficiently, Panlilio said: “Those people who thought I should run are more convinced." Panlilio can find consolation with the fact that rival Pineda is also vague with her programs. She vows to create more jobs without saying how, she wants to improve health services by simply telling mothers to volunteer as health workers, she wants to improve education by awarding more scholarships, etc. Lapid’s Platform In contrast with Lapid’s platform, Panlilio’s statements are sweeping. For instance, to generate jobs, Lapid targets investment promotion through business and tax incentives and reduction of red tape. On health and social services, Lapid enumerates strengthening the local government’s preventive health strategy, access to cheaper drugs, access to safe drinking water in barangays, access to socialized housing, care and protection to senior citizens, consumer protection. On peace and order, Lapid vows a better-equipped police and Barangay Peace and Order councils through improved communication network. While admitting that Panlilio’s candidacy is stirring up a storm, Lapid’s campaign manager, Fidel Arcenas, thinks that it is Pineda’s campaign that has suffered with Panlilio’s entry. Arcenas points to a survey commissioned by Lapid’s camp on the first week of the campaign showing Lapid’s huge lead over his rivals. In that survey with 10,000 respondents, Lapid received 63.88 percent, while Pineda and Panlilio got 18.96 percent and 15.74 percent. The survey was conducted by the Angeles-based Asian Research Organization with 10,000 respondents. Arcenas expects changes in the voter’s preferences but not enough to dislodge Lapid. (Arcenas told Newsbreak that a second survey would be released two weeks before the campaign. Newsbreak followed up the results but Arcenas has been ignoring Newbreak’s calls and text messages). Amid allegations of corruption, Lapid claims that Pampanga had its first provincial investment code aimed at generating jobs, improved tax collection through computerization and one of the lowest crime rates in the country. The results of the May 14 election will show if Panlilio has indeed pulled a miracle. - Newsbreak