A retired Catholic bishop in the Philippine capital appealed to Filipinos this week to pray for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. so that he will be able to serve the country with integrity.
On the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the so-called “People Power revolution” this week, Bishop Emeritus Antonio Tobias of Novaliches said that aside from criticism, people should pray for the president.
“We have to pray for our own president. You know, not just criticize but pray,” he said in an interview over Radio Veritas 846.
He called on Marcos to also pray and ask for God’s guidance to make decisions that will benefit the people.
“I just want to ask our own president, you know, lead by example, be confident of your office and the votes you got,” said Bishop Tobias, adding that the huge number of votes Marcos got in last year’s elections is “a great responsibility.”
He said it is “enough to make you rule, but rule with humility.”
The bishop said the president should be wary of the people around him. “Please have the sense of who is to be listened to,” he said.
“There will be so many whispers to you as president, but please sit down be yourself and pray, pray for God’s own enlightenment for you to make a decision that is the best for the country,” said Bishop Tobias.
“We pray for you because even if everybody, or people, were surprised, you are our president,” he said.
On Wednesday, Marcos told local chief executives that the government is seriously studying the devolution of some functions of local government units.
The president noted that there are “functions that are given locally, but not really locally,” adding that issues arising from the “Mandanas ruling” and how to implement it are being seriously studied.
The ruling is a result of two separate petitions filed by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and former Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia Jr. before the Supreme Court requesting the basis of computation of the Internal Revenue Allotment of local government units be adjusted to include national taxes.
The president said the Mandanas ruling is one of the most important issues facing the government.
Marcos assured local executives that his administration listens to their grievances and needs and is ready to provide the necessary assistance. – with a report from the Philippine Information Agency
