Among Ed to Run for President

MANILA, July 18, 2009- Catholic priest-turned Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio has ended months of speculations by announcing today he will stand for the presidency in next year's elections.

Panlilio said he is already prepared to take the challenge amid the snowballing calls for his presidential bid.

He said he decided to welcome calls for running for a high position because he believes the country needs the best from Filipinos.

Panlilio said he will offer his self to the Filipinos in whatever capacity the country will need his services.

However, Panlilio did not tell the political rally at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Auditorium in Quezon City Saturday, what party he would be representing.

The announcement of his candidacy coincided with the launching of the "Kilos Na!" Movement organized by a group of "concerned" citizens from various sectors.

As a movement, the group endeavors to educate and help make the people "critically thinking and engaged."

"It too strives to help give us, the people, the leaders we deserve-those who offer the best of themselves-overcoming personal, family and business interests," it said.

The group said they will seek out support for Panlilio and those who will "truly champion" the causes of the people and "will govern with nothing but the best interest of the greater majority at heart.

His candidacy is strongly opposed by Catholic Church hierarchy especially by Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto.

Aniceto earlier said that the more a priest goes up the political ladder, the more detrimental it could be to his priesthood.

The archbishop is worried that the priesthood could be used for political ends.

Ex-seminarians' support

A group of former seminarians intends to help raise funds for the campaign of Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio should he run for the presidency in 2010.

The Philippine Alliance of eX-Seminarians (PAX) said they support the priest-turned politician because he stands for a different kind of politics.

According to one of its convenors, Atty. Ricardo Ribo, the governor is exactly the kind of leader that the country needs.

"At the moment only Among Ed personify our advocacy. We are most willing and we should all be willing to do that," Ribo said.

"If he doesn't have the money (to fund his campaign) then those who believe in him should contribute," he added.

Of all the names being floated as possible presidential candidates, Ribo claimed, only Panlilio is not a traditional politician.

"We are looking for somebody who is an advocate of transparency in governance and public accountability because public office is public trust-we think he is qualified at the moment," he also said.

Panlilio, who is suspended from performing priestly duties for entering politics, defeated two administration candidates in a close race for the governorship in Pampanga in 2007. (CBCPNews/Roy Lagarde)