Philstar.com / August 31,2009
MANILA, Philippines – El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde will not pursue his presidential bid, according to his spiritual adviser.
Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said he believes Velarde will abandon any political ambition for the sake of his millions of followers.
"I don't think Bro. Mike will run. Kami na kasama niya sa El Shaddai ay ayaw naming siya na tumakbo. Kinausap namin siya na huwag nang tumakbo pa na malugod naman niyang tinanggap," Bacani told the Church-run Radio Veritas.
Unlike Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, who is a priest on leave, Bacani said Velarde is still part of the laity and could run any time he wants to.
"Si Bro. Mike ay maituturing na layman, karapatan niya na sumama sa pulitika kung nais niya kaya lang may iba pa siyang panawagan o misyon. Si Gov. Panlilio naman ay special case yung pagtakbo niya sa Pampanga," Bacani said.
The bishop also pointed out that under the Canon law, the Church prohibits men of the cloth to run for an elective post in government.
"I do not think he (Panlilio) will continue to run for president while remaining a priest...I don't think it is advisable for him to do so it is good for him to withdraw," Bacani said. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)
MANILA, Philippines – El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde will not pursue his presidential bid, according to his spiritual adviser.
Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said he believes Velarde will abandon any political ambition for the sake of his millions of followers.
"I don't think Bro. Mike will run. Kami na kasama niya sa El Shaddai ay ayaw naming siya na tumakbo. Kinausap namin siya na huwag nang tumakbo pa na malugod naman niyang tinanggap," Bacani told the Church-run Radio Veritas.
Unlike Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, who is a priest on leave, Bacani said Velarde is still part of the laity and could run any time he wants to.
"Si Bro. Mike ay maituturing na layman, karapatan niya na sumama sa pulitika kung nais niya kaya lang may iba pa siyang panawagan o misyon. Si Gov. Panlilio naman ay special case yung pagtakbo niya sa Pampanga," Bacani said.
The bishop also pointed out that under the Canon law, the Church prohibits men of the cloth to run for an elective post in government.
"I do not think he (Panlilio) will continue to run for president while remaining a priest...I don't think it is advisable for him to do so it is good for him to withdraw," Bacani said. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)