Another priest seeks Pampanga office

CLARK FREEPORT — Another Catholic priest is running for councilor of Angeles City, the second in Pampanga province to seek public office after former Gov. Eddie Panlilio in 2007.

The entry into politics of Fr. Andronico “Sonny” Pahed Jr. was announced by Alex Cauguiran, president of the state-owned Clark International Airport Corp., when he introduced his councilors’ slate on Monday. Cauguiran bid goodbye to employees of the agency to run for Angeles mayor.

Pahed is a member of the religious congregation Society of St. Paul.

“Serving a public office is a way of community service,” he said when asked why he was seeking a council seat.

Suspended

Panlilio, a member of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, is still suspended from performing priestly duties since he entered politics in 2007. Archbishop Emeritus Paciano Aniceto’s decision to suspend him had been upheld by Archbishop Florentino Lavarias.

Panlilio, who served for one term, has since returned to nongovernment organizations that he founded while he farmed on the side and offered to help “the spiritual development of elected officials.”

In Bulacan province, two former policemen and a businessman made a show of swearing allegiance to the flag before they filed their candidacies for seats in San Rafael town.

Retired Chief Supt. Francisco Villaroman is seeking the mayoral post held by Mayor Cipriano Violago, who has not yet signified whether he would seek reelection or run for another post.

Villaroman’s vice mayoral candidate is retired Supt. Ramir Viola. Their slate under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino includes businessman Ricardo Silverio Jr., who is seeking the third district congressional seat.

De Venecia leaves LP

In Pangasinan province, Rep. Christopher de Venecia filed his certificate of candidacy for his reelection bid, under the (Lakas-CMD) party.

De Venecia, who bolted the Liberal Party (LP), was accompanied by Lakas-CMD president, former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, to the office of the Pangasinan election supervisor, after he took his oath as Lakas-CMD member.

De Venecia’s father, former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., founded Lakas-CMD together with former President Fidel Ramos and the late Sen. Raul Manglapus. —REPORTS FROM TONETTE OREJAS, CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE, ARMAND GALANG AND YOLANDA SOTELO