(This article was published in 2007 after the Pampanga gubernatorial election)
The new Governor of Pampanga is a Priest
It was a gubernatorial election riddled with controversies . . .of twists and turns, of nail-biting suspense and an ending that has been called “providential” and “miraculous.”
If it had been a novel, it would be a bestseller. Who could resist a plot that is centered on a Catholic priest who sacrifices his priesthood to heed to the outcry of his fellowmen?
THE STORY
Father Eduardo Panlilio, 53, popularly known as Among (an endearing term for a priest) Ed, is the underdog hero of the third party running for Governor of Pampanga. He has no money, nor the machinery to finance and run a campaign against his affluent and powerful opponents: Mark Lapid (incumbent Governor and son of Senator and former Pampanga Governor Manuel “Lito” Lapid), and Lilia Pineda, a former buko vendor, now provincial board member and wife of a political power player). Lapid and Pineda are political allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and both have repeatedly been linked to graft and corruption, especially in pocketing large amounts of quarrying fees, and controlling an illegal numbers game called jueteng.
The good priest has not escaped malicious gossips of romantic liaisons and fathering children during his priesthood. One of the more vicious stories aimed at smearing Among Ed’s image is that his vitiligo is caused by HIV-Aids Virus Infection. Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by smooth, white patches caused by the loss of the natural pigment.
Among Ed’s entry into the political arena divides the Catholic Church. His candidacy is devoid of support from the ecclesiastical hierarchy, who, instead of granting their blessing, indefinitely suspend Among Ed of his priestly duties. This suspension prevents the priest from saying mass and hearing confessions. He takes a leave from the church, stating that it is time to serve the people in a different way. He admits that it will be a difficult battle, having no money or the machinery. But his candidacy attracts more than thirty thousand volunteers, including thirty-three lawyers who provide free legal services to the priest.
Can a simple man of the cloth beat the rich and powerful candidates? Can Among Ed, whose machinery is humility, honesty, conscience, charisma, and the Holy Cross, win against the well-oiled machinery, money and clout of the Lapids and Pinedas? Can his campaign, which is run solely on donations and volunteerism, win an election? Can this priest, who is running for governorship purely out of love for his people and his ministry, win against all odds?
A former high-ranking government official is quoted as saying: “It would completely turn around everything should he win.”
Indeed, a win by Among Ed will be a crystal clear testamentary from the Kapampangans that they’re tired of all the anomalies and corruptions, and they want change. They want an honest man to lead and serve them, and they believe Among Ed is the man for the job.
At election time, many of the volunteers guard the ballots with their lives, some campimg out overnight around the town halls to avert any illegal tampering on election returns and certificates of the canvass of votes.
Among Ed trails Pineda throughout the canvassing. His supporters hold candlelight vigils and praying the rosary. When only one certificate of canvassed votes is left to be opened, Among Ed’s victory remains in doubt.
People make the sign of the cross and hold their breaths as they wait for the final vote count.
Wild cheers erupt all over the province, especially at the convention center in the City of San Fernando, as soon as the winner is proclaimed.
FATHER EDDIE PANLILIO IS THE
NEW GOVERNOR OF PAMPANGA
It’s a narrow margin, but the 11,097 votes from Magalang makes this small town become Panlilio country–the town that clinched Among Ed’s victory.
“Among Ed wins! Among Ed wins!” my brother Jun exclaims on the Phone through overseas call from the Philippines. His excitement is infectious. He has been one of the major supporters of Among Ed.
AMONG EDUARDO PANLILIO
A Kapampangan priest revives hope in politics with honesty and conscience. He makes history as first priest to be elected Governor.
Looking at Among Ed’s photo, I can’t get over his clonal resemblance to my Uncle Carlos, Auntie Liling and Grandpa Brigido Panlilio.
Among Ed, you make all Kapampangans and Panlilios proud.
THE FUTURE GOVERNANCE. Among Ed vows to put a kind of leadership that is participatory, advisory, transparent and God-centered. He is known for his missions for small farmers and the indigenous Aeta tribesmen since the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991. He headed the Social Action Center of Pampanga, and because of him, the church’s presence in the communities ravaged by Pinatubo became very visible.
“It is out of this love,” he says, “that I heeded the call to a more concrete expression of my priestly vocation, of serving as a shepherd to God’s people, especially the poorest of the poor.”
Alejandro Camiling, a colleague with the Academia ning Amanung Sisuan International, said it best with the following commentary: “Kapampangans have restored an entire nation’s faith in its electoral process and its faith in the potency and efficacy of People Power without violating the Constitution or weakening democratic processes. And by allowing a priest to lead them, Kapampangans have strengthened the historical role of the Church in secular affairs, especially in this province.”
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© Copyright 2007 writeartista (UN: mariapanlilio at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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