Priest to Run for Philippine Presidency

The Catholic News Agency is reporting that suspended Roman Catholic priest and current Pampanga governor Eddie Panlilio will seek the presidency of the Philippines in 2010.

Panlilio is asking Pople Benedict XVI for a formal release from his priestly duties in order to pursue the highest political office in the land. He was suspended from the priesthood when he won as governor in 2007.

According to Panlilio, he has “no political agenda” and that his decision is based on a calling from God to go on to “a higher service”.

Somehow, I cannot fathom how he will manage to seek the presidency without a political agenda. Isn’t that a contradiction?

That is just one of the many questions that Panlilio’s announcement raised in my mind.

Does Panlilio have a chance? His win as governor may be an indication that Filipinos are finally really and truly tired of the current residents within the halls of government. This frustration with the old establishments was what led to an upheaval in the way things are run in the country. By that I mean the time when actors, actresses and various media celebrities had their field day in politics (oh, wait, they are still around…). So are Filipinos now realizing that many celebrities are just good for a show, but not for political office? Maybe we’ll have an influx of priests and reverends as mayors, congressmen and senators next.

Will they be different and finally bring real change in government? I guess it remains to be seen, though Filipinos are an optimistic people. We like to believe that the next election/event/people power revolution is the one that will make a lasting difference. So why not a priest for a president, right?

Is Panlilio truly void of political ambition? I’ve heard so many politicians promise that all they want is to serve the people. And then they came away from office much richer for their “services”. So no amount of pre-election promises are good enough for me. It’s what happens after the election that counts.

I’m curious as to what kind of service Panlilio has rendered as governor. I’d love to hear your opinions.