MANILA, Philippines - A few government officials were criticized on social media upon welcoming Pope Francis on Thursday.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, Department of Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II were bashed by netizens as they were able to kiss and shake hands with the Pope.
JUST IN: Sec. Mar Roxas also kissed the Pope's ring. You are a Bergoglio, the President is an Aquino. 'La lang. Enjoy your stay.
— Professional Heckler (@HecklerForever) January 16, 2015
Buti pa si Mar Roxas the politician nakalapit kay Pope. Paano na si Mar Roxas not the politician?
— Mar Biktoryus (@Biktoryus) January 16, 2015
And to Mar Roxas: for turning off our phones, you turned on my wrath mode on you.
— Vida Gruet (@darthvida) January 16, 2015
i was so shocked that budget secretary butch abad and binay didn't evaporate the moment they touched pope francis' hand
— Jenaz Adriana Uy (@adrianaaauy) January 15, 2015
Anong ginagawa ni Sec. Butch Abad dun? Buti di nasunog yon nung hinawakan niya si Pope. HAHAHA! Joke.
— Jayson Visitacion (@awesomebazon) January 15, 2015
Pope Francis, dapat inexorcist niyo yung mga gabineteng sumalubong sa inyo kanina lalo na si PNoy at Sec. Butch Abad! Smh!
— Mark Kian Troy (@LeeMinTroy) January 15, 2015
Dear Butch Abad, now would be a good time to confess. #PopeFrancisPH #ShowThePope
— Jan Resurreccion (@JanResu) January 15, 2015
Ay si Butch Abad! Avoid!!!! Hooligan ang mga katulad mo daw, Pope Francis!!!
— The Glittery Glare (@chonggo) January 15, 2015
Netizens watching the homily of Pope Francis on Friday morning noticed that the camera panned to Binay as the Pope was talking about corruption.
Pope Francis: "Reject all forms of corruption that divert resources from the poor.." Binay: *sweats nervously* pic.twitter.com/BTIod5E9Ts
— dickie (@tweetienidickie) January 16, 2015
#Awwwtsupapa sabi ni Binay when Pope Francis said to reject all forms of corruption.
— AJV (@arajenika) January 16, 2015
Pope Francis: "Reject every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor." *Binay's face* pic.twitter.com/yyQiRn06zY
— Ian Vital (@ianSUAVE) January 16, 2015
Pope: "It is now more than ever necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity." then puts binay in the cam. YAS ABS
— Andrea Lee (@amvlee) January 16, 2015
Pope: "Reject all forms of corruption" Binay: Aray ko b3h. http://t.co/zyMsRuFYkN
— lx (@aleckssreyes) January 16, 2015
Binay and Roxas tweeted about their experience meeting the Pope last Thursday.
His Holiness Pope Francis' arrival fills every Filipino with a sense of goodwill and unity. #PopeFrancisPH
— Jejomar C. Binay (@VPJojoBinay) January 15, 2015
Exchanged a few words with @Pontifex. So humbled! Still can't believe it pic.twitter.com/GYEMxghShv
— Mar Roxas (@MARoxas) January 15, 2015