Panlilio braces for long wait for return to priesthood

After losing his reelection bid for Pampanga governor, former priest Ed Panlilio is bracing for a long wait for his return to priesthood. Panlilio said he has written Pope Benedict XVI asking him to withdraw an application for dispensation from priestly ministry. “I am requesting to be accepted back. It may take some time," he said in an interview with the Union of Catholic Asian News. But he hinted he is also ready to accept the Pope's rejection, which may mean the end of his priestly life. If this happens, he said he will continue helping people and civil society. "It’s not the end of the line. I will still continue helping people and civil society," he said. On Monday, Panlilio addressed University of the Philippines students in Quezon City, saying miracles can happen in politics. Reforms he introduced in Pampanga showed that it is “possible to have transparency, accountability, people participation, respect for ecology, humility and dignity in public service," he said. The former priest urged students to “be hopeful" and to “be a solution to the problem." Panlilio, 56, was suspended from his priestly duties after he decided in 2007 to run for Pampanga governor. He had served most of his three-year term when the Commission on Elections ruled that a recount showed his opponent Lilia Pineda had won the post. Pineda defeated Panlilio in the May 10 election this year. During his talk, Panlilio admitted life as a politician was “very lonely" compared to his “very happy" life as San Fernando archdiocesan priest. As a priest, he said he had time to play tennis, listen to music and ride his motorcycle on visits to poor communities. Fifth-year student Katrina Auditor, 20, who heard his speech said Father Panlilio taught her that “change is possible." Twenty-year-old Joan Mishel Maulawin said she felt “inspired." “Others are pessimistic because of corruption, but Father Panlilio said we can do something about it," she said. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV