I read the article of Amando Doronilla and I thought that the title "Catholic Heirarchy says no to Panlilio" is not entirely accurate. the only objection to the Presidency or political leadership is his dual role as an elected politician and priest. I also agree with the church leadership. Discernment and prayer to the will of God is crucial to the decision of Fr. Panlilio. There is a risk however, once he dispensed with priesthood, he might lose the elctions because the people may not have given him enough support and he might end up frustrated and abandoned. Such was how I felt when I lost my position as City Councilor because my political position also demanded so much time, energy and resources, it created a big hole in my livelihood as a dentist and as a father supporting my family.
The catholic Heirarchy however, never said it cannot support Panlilio, the layman for President. Fr. Panlilio has to choose therefore whether his calling now is to be a priest or to be President because one cannot be prophet and King at the same time. However, when he is settled for the Presidency, there should be no compromise to the tradiditonal parties even to the group of Mar Roxas whose Liberal Party has a record of a coaliton with the administration. We cannot alienate the group of Bro. Eddie and my support with Fr. Panlilio was premised that Bro. Eddie will be with us. As a matter of fact, my support is non transferable. I can support Bro Eddie for President, or Padaca or Panlilio but I will not work with traditional political parties or personalities to lead our nation.
I respect Mar Roxas. His father, Gerry and his friend Ninoy were my inspirations during the years of martial rule. But the Liberal Party cannot lead us now. I even resigned from the PDP-Laban whose leader, Nene Pimentel, I still have high regards, because I no longer believe it continues to be the main vehicle for my aspirations. I even voted for Eddie Villanueva in the last Presidential election and the group of Nanding Pacheco, even if I was still a member and official of the PDP- Laban.
We cannot alienate Ed and his group now and the the Catholic heirarchy with compromises. The line should be drawn between priesthood and politics as a noble mission but first, I feel it is time for Kaya Natin to talk again and again with Bro Ed Villanueva's Party and Nanding Pacheco's Kapatiran to have a common candidate. I would like to remind Harvey Key and the Kaya Natin core group that Mar Roxas was never mentioned as our potential candidate. Yet, it is important that a collective prayer or even big prayer rallies be done to resolve this impasse. I appeal to Ed Panlilio, Ed Villanueva and Nanding Pacheco to join forces and make a collective discernment on what to do with the Liberal Party which is the party of Mar Roxas. we cannot rely on the money and machinery of Roxas and his party. We must rely on the collective efforts of the people who believe in change.
In other words, the talking points now are the following: KAYA NATIN prospective candidates- Panlilio and Padaca; Ed Villanueva's prospective candidates,
Nanding Pachecos candidates and from there, we can stand as a group. I suspect that we will break as soon as the Liberal Party becomes part of the selection process for the presidency. I believe Gov. Panlilio may hold his decision to leave priesthood until a common candidate by the 3 groups has been ageed not only by the leaders but also by their supporters. Prayer, prayer and prayer will allow the us to bond together.
To be honest, I have my great respect for Mar Roxas and the Liberal party. I might even vote for him if there are no reform candidates. However, I am not going to ask people to send money nor send my promised contribution and efforts if we end up swallowed by traditional political parties. I dont think i have a common agenda and platform with them.
Bob Ocio, DMD, RN. (New York)
Former City Councilor, Cagayan de Oro