SHOULD there be any plans for President Arroyo to extend her term, the government should leave that decision up to the people, said Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

“Whatever their decisions, they should always consult the people,” said Vidal.

This came after Press Secretary Jesus Dureza’s opening prayer during a meeting with Cabinet members last Tuesday.

Dureza offered prayers for some of the Cabinet members and the President, which sent some of the members into a fit of lighthearted laughter.

“Bless the President so that she will have forbearance, good health, tolerance to lead this nation up to 2010 and perhaps, who knows, even beyond,” said Dureza.

The President’s reaction as she turned to her left, covered her face in exasperation and muttered “Oh my God!” was caught on national TV.

Dureza, however, later clarified that he deliberately made the prayer humorous and should not be considered as a pitch for a constitutional amendment to extend Arroyo’s presidential term.

Last part

Dureza added that the last part of his prayer was drowned out.

“I said we hope the President will have the tolerance to serve the nation or even beyond. What was drowned out was the statement ‘beyond 2010 in her personal capacity’,” said Dureza.

Should the President extend her term or not, Vidal said it is important for government officials to consult the public on any decisions they make.

“There should be natural consultation and then the people should respond to these,” said Vidal.

He added that now with the election hype slowly spreading throughout the country, government officials should not forget what they are supposed to do.
“They should not derail from the important things that they should do,” said Vidal.

With the pressing issue on the alleged fertilizer scam, Vidal said it is only former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante who has the answer.

‘Truth’

“He is the only one who knows (the truth),” said Vidal.

In these pressing times, Vidal added that it is important that government officials in the country start putting aside their differences and start looking out for the common
good of the people.

“They should stop their way of words…they should just stop that. What do they gain out of it?” he said.

His Christmas wish, he added, is for all political leaders in the nation to unite for the benefit of the public.

“This is for the common good for the people, especially in Cebu,” said Vidal. (EPB)

(November 20, 2008 issue)