Sin scores vacuum of leadership, failure to get act together

Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin renewed yesterday his sharp criticisms of the Estrada administration, saying there was a growing perception of a leadership vacuum in the country.

In a pastoral letter, Sin said even government personnel, especially those with decision-making powers, "cannot even get their act together."

"It looks like we are moving in an endless spiral without any direction and without any reflection," the letter said.

Sin, an outspoken critic of President Estrada, noted that the situation in the country was becoming "more and more confusing with every passing day."

"We now have before us a series of unresolved kidnappings, bombings, hostage-taking and many more acts of terrorism that remain hanging without any leads," Sin said.

He warned that the confusion would remain unless the government gives the people clear directions and a common course of action.

"The people are clamoring for a clearer, more analytical and more unified leadership," Sin stressed.

He revealed that the Church has been sending humanitarian aid to the displaced people of Mindanao, adding that Catholic priests and nuns were also ready and willing to negotiate for peace in the South.

"I hope our government negotiators will not consider this as an intrusion into state affairs. We are only after peace by all means," Sin said.

Tens of thousands of families in at least four provinces in Mindanao have been dislocated by the renewed fighting between government forces and the separatist Muslim groups, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the fewer but more radical Abu Sayyaf.