The difference
“POLITICAL POSITIONS are the realms of the laity and not of men and women of the cloth. I believe that the laity of Pampanga is now more mature and ready to take active part in governance and look among themselves for a leader.”
So spake San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio David as he asked the Kapampangan laity here to “stop pushing priests and religious leaders to run for public office.”
He may not have spoken ex cathedra, but the bishop’s words are no less binding on the faithful.
Still may we be privileged to ask: So where was Among Ambo two years and four months ago when the “reluctant” Rev. Fr. Eddie T. Panlilio was pushed to run for governor? He should have said as much then, better yet, walked his talk.
Besides the laity, perhaps the good bishop should address priests and religious leaders too: that they not allow the laity to shove them into politics. It takes two to tango, as everyone very well knows, bishops included, even if they don’t dance.
Brilliant theologian as he is, Among Ambo has a ready rationalization on Panlilio’s case – “a different situation” obtained in May 2007, “the circumstances were not the same as today’s political situation.”
How different, he did not elaborate in the news report where he was quoted.
A quick look back to 2007: contesting the governorship were the twin evils that scourged Pampanga – illegal gambling and the quarry plunder. Thus the need for a moral alternative. That obviously makes Among Ambo’s “different situation.”
The lamentations of Panlilio himself though belie the bishop’s contention. Jueteng, under the guise of the small town lottery, is a recurrent refrain in the governor’s already discordant song of good governance.
And then there is the already announced Capitol comeback of Leon Guerrero, er, Lito Lapid, the very embodiment of the perceived plunder of the provincial quarry coffers. That which Panlilio recently took to the Ombudsman, although Vice Gov. Yeng Guiao has long lodged that same complaint with the same office.
In the scheme of local politics now, it would seem that the 2010 elections would just be reprise of 2007. Same issues of evils. Same contenders and pretenders. Therefore necessitating the re-election of the same moral alternative.
“We must stop pushing the religious to run for public office. It is a different realm altogether from religious ministry.”
So the bishop re-stressed his point for effect.
Now, what if Panlilio runs for re-election, or inshallah, for president of the Republic?
So what will Among Ambo do? Come out with another rationalization of a “different situation” obtaining in Pampanga or in the whole Philippines?
The difference is not in the situation. Most clearly now, the difference is in Panlilio. No, make that: The difference is Panlilio.
So can you do anything about it, Your Excellency?
So spake San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio David as he asked the Kapampangan laity here to “stop pushing priests and religious leaders to run for public office.”
He may not have spoken ex cathedra, but the bishop’s words are no less binding on the faithful.
Still may we be privileged to ask: So where was Among Ambo two years and four months ago when the “reluctant” Rev. Fr. Eddie T. Panlilio was pushed to run for governor? He should have said as much then, better yet, walked his talk.
Besides the laity, perhaps the good bishop should address priests and religious leaders too: that they not allow the laity to shove them into politics. It takes two to tango, as everyone very well knows, bishops included, even if they don’t dance.
Brilliant theologian as he is, Among Ambo has a ready rationalization on Panlilio’s case – “a different situation” obtained in May 2007, “the circumstances were not the same as today’s political situation.”
How different, he did not elaborate in the news report where he was quoted.
A quick look back to 2007: contesting the governorship were the twin evils that scourged Pampanga – illegal gambling and the quarry plunder. Thus the need for a moral alternative. That obviously makes Among Ambo’s “different situation.”
The lamentations of Panlilio himself though belie the bishop’s contention. Jueteng, under the guise of the small town lottery, is a recurrent refrain in the governor’s already discordant song of good governance.
And then there is the already announced Capitol comeback of Leon Guerrero, er, Lito Lapid, the very embodiment of the perceived plunder of the provincial quarry coffers. That which Panlilio recently took to the Ombudsman, although Vice Gov. Yeng Guiao has long lodged that same complaint with the same office.
In the scheme of local politics now, it would seem that the 2010 elections would just be reprise of 2007. Same issues of evils. Same contenders and pretenders. Therefore necessitating the re-election of the same moral alternative.
“We must stop pushing the religious to run for public office. It is a different realm altogether from religious ministry.”
So the bishop re-stressed his point for effect.
Now, what if Panlilio runs for re-election, or inshallah, for president of the Republic?
So what will Among Ambo do? Come out with another rationalization of a “different situation” obtaining in Pampanga or in the whole Philippines?
The difference is not in the situation. Most clearly now, the difference is in Panlilio. No, make that: The difference is Panlilio.
So can you do anything about it, Your Excellency?
posted by A.Caesar Z. Lacson at 12:35 PM
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