MANILA - Pampanga Governor Eddie 'Among Ed' Panlilio is dead set in defying his superiors, saying it was God himself who is pushing him to contest the presidency next year.

At a forum on Tuesday, Panlilio, a Catholic priest, declared that “God wanted me to go on a higher service” by aspiring to become the next President.

“There had been groups telling me to run for the presidency and I thought I would pray again. After a period of discernment, I said, yes, God is calling me to run for the presidency,” Panlilio said.

Ignoring his superiors’ call to return to priesthood, Panlilio said: “I have every intention to file my candidacy on or before Nov. 30. I am ready for all the consequences, including dispensation from priesthood.”

November 30 is the last day for filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 2010 national and local polls.

Euphoric over Panlilio’s gubernatorial victory in 2007 over two political heavyweights in the province, Pampanga bishops and priests are now wary over Panlilio’s declared intention to seek the presidency. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in a plenary this month, in an oblique objection to Panlilio’s bid, has pushed the laity to join “principled partisan politics.”

Transformational politics

Panlilio’s political foray in 2007 was opposed by other members of the CBCP, but he was able to get a blessing from his own bishop, San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto. His priestly duties were suspended after his election as Pampanga governor.

Panlilio’s victory over former Vice-Governor Mark Lapid and former Pampanga provincial board member Lilia Pineda was hailed as a triumph of transformational politics over traditional politics.

His decision to seek the presidency has put Panlilio’s devotion and loyalty to his vocation in question.

Panlilio said returning to priesthood “could come later.” He said he is momentarily giving up his vocation to a greater calling, which is service to the country. “For me, at the heart of priesthood I accepting the love of God and working for other people, especially the poor.”

Panlilio has been attending leadership fora aimed at assessing the capabilities and platforms of presidential wannabes. If elected president, he said he would focus on generating livelihood, fighting corruption, addressing malnutrition, food sufficiency, and the insurgency.

He said that his inner circle of advisers include former Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and Ateneo School of Government Dean Antonio Laviña.

Panlilio said his supporters are now in the thick of organizing his campaign. He indicated that his handlers are trying to project him as an alternative candidate against the likes of Vice-President Noli de Castro, Senator Manny Villar, and other established politicians.