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Wednesday, November 30, 2005
'Lucky on medals but not politics'
By Linette C. Ramos
CEBU CITY -- In the presence of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal criticized Tuesday politics in the Philippines and took a strong stance against corruption in government.
While the Philippine team continues to reap medals and bring honor to the country in the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Filipinos are wounded by political squabbling, unequal distribution of wealth and moral decay, said the archbishop.
The cardinal, who delivered his homily in Cebuano, expressed his disappointment with politics during his mass for the 17th feast of the Alliance of Two Hearts parish in Banawa Tuesday. President Arroyo and her local political allies attended.
"Many are pleased by our medals, but more are hurting from our wounds. For that, all those in power, as well as the church, are at fault," Vidal added.
Arroyo, who was seated directly across the cardinal, walked up to him after the mass and joined other bishops for picture taking.
Governor Gwen Garcia, Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Representative Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and Government Media Group Head Cerge Remonde also joined the President in the mass.
In an interview after the mass, Vidal said he also appreciated the 25 medals the Philippines had won as of this morning, saying the team's victory brings honor to the country.
"The medals are just honors given to our country but we must also try to do something for our poor people, di ba? Well, at least they brought honor to our country and we are happy that at least for the first time we won so many gold medals. Although I wish that with these gold medals, we'll also have some gold for our poor people," he said.
It was not the first time the prelate commented on the SEA Games. Over the weekend, he also lamented the "extravagant spending" for the opening of the SEA Games, which cost some P4 million in Cebu alone.
Instead of spending so much for an opening program, Vidal wished the same amount could be spent to feed children and the poor.
Vidal said Tuesday, though, that he now understands that the Cebu City Government did not spend on its own for the event.
"I was struck by the huge amount that was spent, but they explained to me that it was divided among the many organizations. One million for fireworks, I was really struck by that. But now that it was explained, then I understand already," he said.
In his homily Tuesday, Vidal called for unity and honesty among the people, especially those who are in power.
He also urged his flock to continue working towards reconciliation, peace and recovery from all political and social problems. The prelate admitted, though, that this is a tall order for a divided country where the search for truth is difficult.
"There are those who, instead of offering the truth, give us rumors, hearsay and outright lies, which we cannot believe even if the liars take oaths or have their statements videotaped," he said.
The cardinal added that it is during these times that the church needs most to play its role as a source of comfort and as a refuge for its wounded people.
"There are those who see the church as a hiding place, because a crime confessed is a crime kept secret. Therefore, our new challenge is to tell the truth and, in all humility, admit our wrongdoings," Vidal said at the end of his homily.
The mass in Cebu was President Arroyo's first stop, in a day spent making the rounds of SEA Games venues in Cebu and Bacolod.
She also went to Mandaue City, where she watched and awarded the winners of the karate finals between the Philippines and Vietnam (men's division).
She then awarded the winners of the cross-country category of the mountain bike competition in Sabang, Danao City.
At noon, she had lunch with athletes, sports officials, sponsors, foreign dignitaries and members of local media at the Full Moon Restaurant in Bacolod City.
She watched the men's volleyball games between the Philippines and Vietnam at the West Negros College Gym and the football game between the Philippines and Malaysia at the Panaad Park and Stadium, both in Bacolod City.
But the Philippine team isn't the only one getting high-level visitors to cheer them on.
One of the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam's princes is in town today to root for his country's athletes.
Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the youngest son of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, will visit the different venues.
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, a member of the Cebu-SEA Games Organizing Committee, confirmed the prince's visit after Sun.Star Cebu got wind of the report and tried verifying it with him.
"It will be one of the first royal visits here in the country," he said in an interview.
Sufri is the president of the Olympic Federation of Brunei Darussalam.
Six events are being held in Cebu: dancesports at the Waterfront Hotel-Lahug, sepak takraw at the University of San Carlos gym, pencak silat at the New Cebu Coliseum, judo and karatedo at the Mandaue City Sports Complex, and mountain biking in Danao City.
Jakosalem assured security will be provided for the visiting prince, who will try to lift the spirits of his athletes. (With RHM/Sunnex)
(November 30, 2005 issue)
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