SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- Outgoing Gov. Ed Panlilio is withdrawing his request to be dispensed from the priesthood and expressed hope that Catholic church authorities would fully restore his priestly duties.

Panlilio has been under suspension as priest since 2007, and before the last May 10 elections, he submitted a letter to Archbishop Paciano Aniceto seeking permanent dispensation from the priesthood.

Aniceto said Panlilio’s letter was forwarded to Pope Benedict XVI for decision even before the last polls and he expects the Vatican to decide on it within a year.

Panlilio said, however, he would withdraw the request, as he expressed hope that he will again serve as priest.

But he expressed doubt that he could go back to being parish priest of Betis in Guagua town once his priesthood is restored, a post he occupied when he first entered politics by running for governor in 2007. He said Betis is now served by another parish priest.

“If I go back, it need not be a parish assignment for me, as I can be assigned to a ministry such as one on good governance and social responsibility,” he said.

Panlilio had once headed the Archdiocesan Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP) which had successfully helped thousands of victims of the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

Meanwhile, Governor-elect Lilia Pineda filed a petition for the implementation of the en banc decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last May 5 for her to take over the provincial capitol after she was declared winner in the 2007 elections.

The electoral case was appealed by Panlilio before the Supreme Court where it has remained pending.