CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma did not mention any specific incident or name any Cebuano leader but his reminder "to all of us to refrain from hurting one another" must refer to the accusations of corruption and incompetence being hurled in social media against some local government leaders.
Charges of irregularities in distribution of donated food, building of quarantine sites, and purchases of testing kits and protective equipment have been hurled, some with specifics and others in plain innuendoes, against officials leading the campaign against Covid-19 epidemic. Those who are being smeared, or their surrogates, have answered with their own heap of insults.
They must be what Cebu's Catholic spiritual leader means in his interview with CBCP News. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines news site banners the Palma interview on its front page. The news was posted Wednesday, July 1, but remains as of Friday, July 3, as the lead story, with a big photograph of Palma.
Palma asked Cebuanos to maintain their "sense of courtesy and respect" to government authorities, recognizing their "sincerity and sacrifices," their "best intentions and dedication to their duties."
"The worst of times is the best of times," he said, to show to the rest of the country "our sense of personal discipline," apparently referring to the criticism of President Duterte for being "hard-headed" on health protocols imposed under the community quarantine. Cebu City is the only LGU under enhanced CQ left in the country during the period from July 1 to 15.
Under an ECQ, mass gathering, including religious worship, is limited to five persons. In GCQ areas, the maximum number is 10.
Archbishop Palma called for "solidarity and tenacity." Could that stop the trading of potshots between the two rival political parties in the city?
Harry Roque and dolphins
What's wrong with Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque cavorting with dolphins during last weekend's side trip to Ocean Adventure in Mariveles, Bataan where he had "agricultural businesses" to attend to?
Maybe not for violating quarantine rules since the marine park was in a modified general quarantine (MGCQ) area. The rules allow the park to operate, said a DILG official, up to 50 per cent capacity.
Aside from the usual critics, the other netizens complaining must resent him publicly enjoying while most people are suffering. It was the marine park that posted the images on Facebook, apparently to help restore its lost business.
Playing with initials
[1] Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia uses ECD for her Enhanced Countryside Development, a plan to rebuild the tourism industry even during the community quarantine that still applies to the province, the much-milder modified general quarantine or MGCQ.
[2] President-sent Roy Cimatu, a retired general who is also environment secretary, said Cebuanos should aspire for ECQ (End Community Quarantine), indicating that Cebu City residents themselves can terminate the lockdown and its restrictions by obeying them and thus helping stop or slow down the local transmission of the virus.
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