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05-19-2007, 02:34 PM
Fr. Ed wins by slimmest of margins
By Tonette Orejas
Inquirer
It’s a miracle!
Winning by the slimmest of margins, Fr. Eddie Panlilio became the first Catholic priest in the country to be elected to public office in what is being touted as a “people-powered” unprecedented run for governor of Pampanga. “It’s a miracle, of course. And we worked hard for it. It’s God’s way of saying it’s time to change, to serve His people, especially the poor,” said the 53-year-old priest. “Welcome to a new era in Pampanga politics,” said Panlilio who got a total of 219,706 votes in the six-cornered race, winning by a lead of only 1,147 votes.
Panlilio, who comes from Minalin, has spent 26 years in the priesthood. He took a leave from his priestly duties on March 25, heeding the clamor of the province’s Catholic laity to run as the alternative candidate to the two strongest candidates—Lapid and Pineda—who were hamstrung by corruption and illegal gambling issues.
Panlilio admitted it was a difficult battle, having no money or even machinery. He relied on a ragtag army of volunteers that swelled to some 30,000, including 33 lawyers led by the country’s top four election counsels. Their creative way of campaigning, their vigilance on Election Day and the days that followed were largely behind his victory, he said.
To read more of the story, click here... (http://newsinfo.inquirer.ne t/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?art icle_id=66776)
By Tonette Orejas
Inquirer
It’s a miracle!
Winning by the slimmest of margins, Fr. Eddie Panlilio became the first Catholic priest in the country to be elected to public office in what is being touted as a “people-powered” unprecedented run for governor of Pampanga. “It’s a miracle, of course. And we worked hard for it. It’s God’s way of saying it’s time to change, to serve His people, especially the poor,” said the 53-year-old priest. “Welcome to a new era in Pampanga politics,” said Panlilio who got a total of 219,706 votes in the six-cornered race, winning by a lead of only 1,147 votes.
Panlilio, who comes from Minalin, has spent 26 years in the priesthood. He took a leave from his priestly duties on March 25, heeding the clamor of the province’s Catholic laity to run as the alternative candidate to the two strongest candidates—Lapid and Pineda—who were hamstrung by corruption and illegal gambling issues.
Panlilio admitted it was a difficult battle, having no money or even machinery. He relied on a ragtag army of volunteers that swelled to some 30,000, including 33 lawyers led by the country’s top four election counsels. Their creative way of campaigning, their vigilance on Election Day and the days that followed were largely behind his victory, he said.
To read more of the story, click here... (http://newsinfo.inquirer.ne t/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?art icle_id=66776)