Choose between priesthood and politics, bishop tells Panlilio

MANILA, Philippines — A senior Roman Catholic Church official on Saturday urged embattled Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio choose between his political position and priesthood to better serve his constituents. In a chance interview with reporters at Intramuros, Dagupan-Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz reminded Panlilio that “Politics is the art of compromising," which goes against the grain of priesthood. "It's either he gives up his priesthood or his being a politician," the outspoken Cruz said. "He is half-priest and half-politician… and also he is half-not priest and half-not politician. This cannot mix and politics is a matter of compromising." Cruz’s gave the advise amid a renewed campaign by Panlilio’s political rivals to get him booted out. Earlier this month, allies of former Lubao Mayor Lilian Pineda, whom Panlilio defeated in the 2007 elections, initiated a signature campaign seeking a “recall election" for the governorship in Pampanga on grounds of “loss of confidence." Cruz said Panlilio’s fundamental problem is that he has few allies among Pampanga’s local officials. "It has to be accepted that you cannot run a province without a party mate," he said. - GMANews.TV