Priesthood and politics

Lingayen Bishop Oscar Cruz to Pampanga parish priest Eddie Panlilio who won the gubernatorial race in the province: "Resign from priesthood first." He added that no one can be a part-time priest and part-time politician. I hope Fr. Eddie does not tell the part-time crusader and full-time (?) bishop: Inggit lang kayo!

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I wonder what Father-Governor Panlilio's plans are now that he has been proclaimed winner, and therefore the incoming head of Pampanga province. Can he really resign as a priest, and lose all his authority and privileges as one? I remember from my earliest Catechism classes that once one has been ordained a priest, he is "a priest forever". But when you are proclaimed governor, mayor, or even president, you are one only as far as the term of the office - three years, six years - is concerned.

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The 2007 elections really have brought up many strange and precedent-breaking developments. There is the toppling of so many dynasties or would-be ones in several parts of the country. This has been illustrated by the trouncing of their candidates, in some cases by virtual unknowns. Some lost their hold because of their own greed, or maneuverings that did not produce the desired results. Others, who had other agenda for seeking office, found out that it is not that easy to dislodge those who are already entrenched in their territory.

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But some of the noted political dynasties that have been reported felled, or, at the very least, shaken, are those of the Josons of Nueva Ecija, the Acostas of Bukidnon, and even the Espinosas of Masbate. But at least, we have not heard of any assassinations related to politics this time in Masbate, where so many clan leaders have been gunned down in the past. The one who ran there this time was Maloli Espinosa, a top media executive in Manila who was apparently cajoled by her relatives to come home and uphold their name. Sadly, though, she has been reported to be losing, and now lawyers are struggling to stave off the impending rout.

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How about the Rectos of Batangas? The latest is that the brother who is running for Congress, upon the importunings of the one who is a senator, is not doing very well, and may lose the post. Ricky Recto, who was set to run for governor until Brod Ralph decided to field his wife, movie actress Vilma Santos instead, is reportedly losing. Now even the senator himself does not seem sure of getting into the magic Twelve, and if he fails, only Vilma, who is not a Recto by blood, will be holding a political position in Batangas. Somebody may be biting his elbow at the moment. Well, they can always console themselves. The son-in-law of Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos himself seems to be losing his bid to become mayor of Biñan, Laguna. The son and namesake of former basketball star and then senator Robert Jaworski also lost his bid for mayor of Pasig. That, despite being married to another powerful political family, since his wife, Mikey, is the daughter of Peping Cojuangco and the niece of former President Cory Aquino.

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In Bacolod, meanwhile, there must have been a lot of wheeling and dealing during the crucial hours. They say that in Brgy. Villamonte, a strange kind of sample ballot was circulating on election day and printed on it were the names of Performance Team leaders Puentevella, and Valdez for representative and mayor, respectively, and for vice mayor it was independent bet Lyndon Caña. Did Caña know about it, and was the official PT vice mayor bet, Elmer Sy, the one who declared himself "independent" of them? By the way, somebody called me up to say that he had seen similar sample ballots also in Handumanan.

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I went to the BAYS Center Saturday afternoon and was surprised to see that there were not as many people in the side occupied by the Performance Team supporters. Someone explained that this was because the supporters of the candidates for mayor and vice mayor no longer appeared because they were not going to be proclaimed, anyway. And also, I was told, there were only two "survivors" among the twelve council bets of the team, and they were not even there themselves. Well, that's politics for you. On the other hand, their opponents, even the independent ones were there, eager to go through the proclamation procedure that is supposed to make their election completed as prescribed by law.

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After getting us lulled by a few rollbacks before the election, WHAM! The winners had not all been proclaimed yet, but the government already announced: The price of gasoline had gone up by P1 and diesel, kerosene and LPG by P0.50. Time to wake up, everybody.*

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