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Thursday, February 26, 2004
Cebu placed in 'state of prayer'
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
CEBU CITY -- Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal declared Cebu, on the eve of Ash Wednesday, in a "state of prayer" and called on the faithful to dedicate their intentions for an honest, orderly and peaceful election.
In Tuesday night's mass and prayer vigil, Vidal reminded his flock to follow Christ's example of being prayerful and to have "the purest intentions at heart" especially during the observance of Lent.
Prayer, he said, should be the first and not the last resort.
"Ayaw na pagpakamaaron-ingnon. Ni-a kita dili aron makit-an sa uban tawo, dili aron daygon, dili ta magpakaaron-ingnon (We are not here to call attention to ourselves, or to seek praise)," he told the crowd that included politicians during the 7:30 p.m. mass at the Archbishop's Palace grounds last Tuesday.
"Sa natad sa politika, hinaut mapakita nato ang tinud-anay nga panaginigso-onay (In politics, let us show true brotherhood)," the prelate also advised.
In an interview with reporters, Cardinal Vidal clarified that the declaration does not indicate the church is sounding off a "state of emergency" in anticipation of chaos as the May 10 election nears.
"When you say we are in a state of prayer, it means that in everything we do, as long as it is not sinful, we should dedicate it to the Lord," he explained.
Sen. Loi Ejercito, former senator Kit Tatad, congressional candidate Aristotle Batuhan, former Cebu City mayor Alvin Garcia and wife Ninette, vice mayoral candidate Ramiro Madarang Sr. and lawyer Salvador Solima, who is running for Cebu City councilor, were among those present.
Marilu Chiongbian of the church-based election watchdog C-Cimpel said that with or without Vidal's declaration, "we should pray for this election especially."
Fr. Carmelo Diola of Barug Pilipino was not pleased with the attendance of some politicians, saying they might have only been there for the photo opportunity.
Cardinal Vidal, however, briefly chatted with Ejercito, who later told reporters that she was invited to the activity.
Aside from the politicians, Muslim community leaders Ustadz Najeeb Razul and Hadji Nashier Ismael also arrived and met with Vidal.
Ismael said they share the hope of Roman Catholics to "spread love, respect and understanding" during this time.
Vidal also recited the special prayer for the elections.
Beginning Wednesday, the prayer was supposed to be said right after communion. Churchgoers are advised to kneel when saying the prayer, which will be included in all masses until May 10, election day, except during Easter.
No endorsement
In Edsa, former President Aquino, when interviewed at the People Power Monument along Epifanio de los Santos (Edsa) Avenue, said she is sticking to her decision not to endorse any presidential candidate, adding that it would not look good if she backs a particularly candidate and advocate for clean elections.
She said she would meet student volunteers from De La Salle University (DLSU) and other youths who volunteered to help monitor and ensure that there would be peaceful and credible elections.
In 1992, Aquino endorsed the presidential bid of Fidel Ramos who won the elections, and in the 1998 elections she endorsed the presidential bid of Alfredo Lim, who lost to Joseph Estrada. Lim is now running for senator under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) banner, which is supporting Estrada's friend Fernando Poe Jr.
Aquino said she does not mind whoever would win as long as he or she won fairly and everyone would support the winner.
"Presidents come and go but what is more important is that we Filipinos realize we have a duty to our country so we should do our best in order to help our fellow Filipinos," she added.
Aquino also called on the public to remember and relive the spirit of Edsa 1 by doing one's share in "uplifting the lives of our fellowmen" and through participating in the elections.
Meanwhile, the administration started distributing an eight-track cassette tape containing the "Kay Gloria Na!" campaign jingle of President Arroyo to the tune of Willie Revillame's "Pito-Pito" song. with reports from JMR
(February 26, 2004 issue)
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