Saturday, February 16, 2008 Cardinal Vidal calls for signature campaign
FOLLOWING the bishops’ call for communal action, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal proposed two things the Catholic faithful can do in response to “the outrage” sparked by revelations of corruption in the highest levels of government.
In the pastoral letter “A call to choose the way of truth,” the prelate appealed to the people for personal and communal conversion in the families, parishes, schools and workplaces, as well as collective action based on the Gospel values and social teachings of the church.
Under personal and communal conversion, people can come together as groups for reflection, pray, or perform acts of sacrifice such as fasting and abstinence, and extend charity to the needy, he said.
Collective action can take the form of a signature campaign to assert the right to be told the truth, as well as “positive engagement” in monitoring the government’s procurement transactions or the lifestyle checks on public officials.
Even if they didn’t join the protests, out in the streets the support for whistleblower Rodolfo Lozada Jr. was rising.
“President Arroyo must step down from her position. She doesn’t deserve to be President because she is corrupt,” said Asteria Cuizon, president of a homeowners’ community near a bus terminal.
“The anomalies are more than enough for President Arroyo to step down,” peanut vendor George, 55, told Sun.Star Cebu near the Fuente rotunda, where the protesters gathered. “Despite this problem, I am continuing my job for my family’s sake. Even with this simple labor, we can make our lives grow.”
Cardinal Vidal lamented the creation of an “atmosphere of cynicism and despair” by allegations of corruption in the ZTE broadband deal and other problems, including “the Asean lamppost overpricing, vehicle smuggling, computer purchase irregularity, shabu lab and vigilante or fraternity killings.”
“They resonate in the personal experiences of our people, pushing some to desperation and to abandon hope in the present political system,” said the archbishop.
Dilaab, a church-based movement, will lead a signature campaign to show their belief in the testimony of Lozada. This will be on Monday, after a mass at 7 p.m. at the Redemptorist Church.
As a “creative way” of reaching out to the “unorganized masses,” at least 40 members of party-list group Akbayan and its affiliate non-government organizations held a one-hour prayer rally yesterday afternoon at Fuente Osmeña.
“This is just a build-up activity, our drum-beating contribution, for Dilaab’s mass on Monday. We assured Fr. Diola of Dilaab that we will fully mobilize our communities in time for the mass. Also, this is in solidarity with the rallies held in Manila. To show that Cebu is also doing something, we have this,” said Alvin Dizon of the Akbayan executive committee.
Despite the brief drizzle and strong winds, the small group lighted candles and showed small placards to commuters and motorists, marked, “We support the truth. We demand justice and accountability.”
Supporting Akbayan was cause-oriented group Sanlakas, which also held a rally yesterday morning from Sto. Rosario Parish to Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr., Cebu City.
At least 60 members were carrying photos of the First Family, PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr., former socioeconomic planning secretary Romulo Neri and resigned elections commission chairman Benjamin Abalos, stamped “guilty.”
For Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, replacing corrupt government officials, and not Charter change, will solve most of the country’s woes.
“Why are they reviving proposals to amend the Charter now? Karon gyud na gubot na kaayo? Do they think the issue of corruption will disappear if we shift to a parliamentary form of government?” he said in a news conference yesterday.
“Our problem is not the government system, it’s the people in government that is the problem, especially those who are corrupt,” Rama continued. NRC/With LCR & Mae Rhecris Bergado, La Salle University Intern
