Panlilio seeks church help over recall threat
Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio yesterday asked the different archdioceses to join the thousands of people who signed a manifesto supporting him in the wake of the recall moves initiated by his detractors.
Panlilio was in the city yesterday for the second day of the 2008 National Laity Week. The activity is being attended by the different lay and Marian organizations all over the country and also by bishops and priests.
In the archdiocese of Jaro alone, there are 91 parishes and 35 lay and Marian organizations.
The governor said he has already gathered the support of 69 bishops all over the country for his retention as governor of Pampanga. Kapampangans have also created several online campaign in support of the beleaguered governor.
Currently, the priest turned governor is facing a recall and recount moves from his political foes. Though, Panlilio is confident that any of the two moves to oust him from his post will not prosper, he sought the moral support of the other lay people and church officials.
Panlilio said those initiating the recall move has already gathered 175,000 signatures. It only needs 98,000 signatures to depose him. However, the authentication of the signatures is a tedious process.
Their effort will not prosper not unless they have done something between today until May 2009. From October to April, there is no more chance for them to push though with their plans, said Panlilio.
The House of Representatives also has no budget to spend for the recall election. A congressman who was asked to sponsor a bill for the passage of a supplemental budget for the recall election denied the request, said Panlilio.
He said the Comelec needs P40 million budget for the recall election. At present, they have only P5 million budget. The fund is not substantial to finance the recall election in Pampanga.
Moreover, the recall move against him is the 19th case lodged before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). There are still 18 pending cases filed in the commission, he said, hinting that the commission has to tend to the first set of cases.