Catholic Church leaders in the Philippines expressed hope that President Rodrigo Duterte will stick to the “truth” when he delivers his “State of the Nation Address” on Monday, July 27.
“I think the public deserves to know the truth,” said Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Public Affairs Committee of the Catholic bishops’ conference.
“This is not the time to blame anybody. This is not the time to criticize anybody. This is the time for us to know the truth,” said the priest in an interview over church-run Radio Veritas 846.
Several of the country’s Catholic bishops have expressed hope that the president will address pressing issues like unemployment and the coronavirus pandemic in his speech.
“Many lost their jobs because of [the new coronavirus disease],” said Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz. “How will President Duterte solve this?”
The prelate suggested that schools in rural areas with no COVID-19 cases should be allowed to open and hold “face-to-face” classes at least twice a week.
Education officials have earlier announced that all classes will be held online during the pandemic or until a vaccine for the disease becomes available.
Bishop Arturo Bastes, retired prelate of Sorsogon, said he is interested in what the president would say about the pandemic and how effective is the government’s response.
The prelate said he expects President Duterte to also tackle the recently-signed anti-terrorism law, the failing economy, the denial of a new franchise for television network ABS-CBN, and the country’s “territorial integrity.”
Stop killings, care for environment
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos, who is known for his pro-environment advocacy, said he wanted to hear the president talk about “renewable energy” and the spate of killings in the country.
The prelate decried the “spate of deaths” and urged the public to “discern, act, and speak,” adding that despite the coronavirus pandemic, “unjust killings across the country continue.”
Bishop Alminaza said it is “unlikely” that the government will use its powers to stop the killings because President Duterte “officially endorsed” it from the very start.
The bishop instead urged the president to “listen to the cries of the people, present concrete solutions in his [speech], and serve in the interest of the public” instead of cracking “unwarranted jokes and threats.”
The prelate said threats and violence “can never instill discipline” but will only “ignite more violence.”
He called on local authorities and state security forces “not to resort to red-tagging” and not use “pseudo-campaigns for peace and order” to justify attacks and sow intimidation and fear.
“I plead to our government to stop the immoral killings of our people,” he said.
Pray for President Duterte
In the Diocese of Legazpi, Bishop Joel Baylon declared a “Day of Prayer and Fasting” for “peace, reconciliation and healing in the country.”
“I also encourage the parishes to have a Holy Hour for the same intention,” said the bishop in a letter notifying members of the clergy about the observance.
Bishop Baylon called on the faithful to pray for government officials, especially President Duterte, “that the light of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel be their guide in making decisions for the country.”
“May they keep in mind that public office is a public trust that they must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice and lead modest and exemplary lives,” wrote the prelate.
“In the end, like all of us, they are accountable to God,” he said.
In the central Philippines’ Diocese of Dumaguete, Bishop Julito Cortes called on government leaders to hold a dialogue with the people especially on the implementation of the new anti-terrorism law.
Quoting Pope Francis, the bishop said “meaningful listening is only possible when we talk less and listen more.”
He said being a leader “entails a lot of listening,” adding that “respect for the right of each one, respect for the truth that one stands for, and the freedom which is alienable in every human person” are essential for dialogue.
Bishop Cortez urged the government to “consolidate” resources and “attention” in solving and attending to the pandemic before going to other issues.
“Stay away from issues that divide us,” he said, enumerating proposals for Charter change and the anti-terrorism law.
Mark Saludes and Ryan Christopher Sorote contributed to this report.
