Philippine Presidential Race Draws Religious Leaders As Candidates

In the Philippines, two religious leaders have announced that they will run in next year's presidential elections, and a third is considering doing so. According to yesterday's Philippine Star, former Catholic priest Ed Panlilio, Governor of the province of Pampanga, was the first to announce. Then on Friday, Eddie Villanueva, leader of the Pentecostal Jesus is the Lord Church, accepted the nomination of the Bangon Pilipinas party. Now a signature campaign has been started by Brother Mike Velarde who is the lay leader of the Catholic Charismatic El Shaddai Movement. Supporters are seeking 10 million signatures. Incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is barred from running for another term in the election scheduled for next May. (Background.)