Wednesday, May 24, 2006 (Philippines)

Nourish the flock, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, archbishop of Cebu, yesterday asked newly ordained Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla amid fresh challenges to the Catholic faith. Above: Padilla, papal nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, at his ordination at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral with his sister Aida Padilla and (center) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (Sun.star photo/Amper Campaña) Mayor Tomas Osmeña warned that Cebu City will have an “adversarial relationship” with the PNP if it is going to insist on its practice of appointing classmates and Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduates to plum posts. Both the mayor and City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, vice chairman of the council committee on police, were surprised by Acting Cebu City Police Chief Melvin Gayotin’s sudden relief, which was set to take effect last May 16 yet. “I will not allow Cebu City to serve as accommodation for PMA classmates. I’m making a very strong statement. We’re not just going to be another doormat for other people,” Osmeña said. [full story]