Maverick priest is bane of traditional politicians

In a country where serious presidential aspirants are usually politically powerful and well-connected, Ed Panlilio is an exception. The 55-year-old Catholic priest, a first-timer in politics, has taken on the country’s well entrenched system of traditional politics. Riding a wave of public disgust, Panlilio ran for Pampanga governor in the 2007 elections. He faced Lubao mayor Lilia Pineda, a town mate and close friend of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the incumbent Mark Lapid, son of action star-turned-senator Lito Lapid. Panlilio beat Pineda by 1,407 votes, a margin repeatedly challenged by his political opponents until the election case was elevated to the Supreme Court. The high tribunal recently decided to resume the hearing of the petition questioning Panlilio’s victory. Only a few months into office, Panlilio claimed that in an October 2007 meeting with Mrs Arroyo, local government officials had received bags of cash. He claimed that he was among those who received brown paper bags containing P500,000 from a Palace staffer.

“(A)s a priest and a public officer, I should not lie. I believe that since the money came from Malacañang, I also believe it is public money. So I should be accountable for it and transparent about it," Panlilio told the public after the disclosure. He turned over the cash to the provincial treasurer. On June 23, 2008, Panlilio slapped Lubao businessman Rodolfo “Bong" Pineda with a plunder case before the Ombusdman. Panlilio alleged that Lilia’s husband was involved in jueteng operations and payoffs in Pampanga. Panlilio who served the clergy for 26 years, was suspended from his priestly duties in 2007 after he filed candidacy for the gubernatorial post. He remains officially on leave from the Roman Catholic Church. He said in May 2007 that he would not seek reelection in 2010, and would instead “go back to the ministry as soon as possible." - Andreo Calonzo and AR Sabangan, GMANews.TV