House to pass resolutions of gratitude for Pope Francis

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives will immediately pass various resolutions filed by lawmakers thanking Pope Francis for inspiring and bringing hope to Filipinos during his historic five-day visit last week, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday.

Belmonte is among those who filed resolutions expressing the Filipinos’ gratitude to the pope, whose recent visit centered on the universal message of “mercy and compassion.”

The Speaker and other legislators filed House Resolution 1816, which stressed that Pope Francis “provided inspiration and encouragement to millions of Filipinos to make Jesus Christ the center of their lives.”

“Despite the harsh weather conditions brought about by (Tropical Storm) Amang, Pope Francis proceeded to the Province of Leyte to hold mass for 150 thousand pilgrims and survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, braving the strong winds and rains to personally bring his message of hope and renewal to our countrymen,” the proposed bill read.

Co-authors of the measure include Deputy Speakers Henedina Abad, Giorgidi Aggabao, Sergio Apostol, Pangalian Balindong, Carlos Padilla, and Roberto Puno; Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II; Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora; Reps. Mel Senen Sarmiento, Enrique Cojuangco, Mark Llandro Mendoza, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Rolando Andaya Jr., Mar-Len Abigail Binay, Nicanor Briones and Raymond Democrito Mendoza.

The resolution cited the pope’s emphasis on the need “for genuine reforms in order to build a society anchored on social justice and respect for human dignity and sounded the call for honesty, integrity, a strong commitment to the common good and for the eradication of corruption and poverty.”

“(The pope’s) openness to inter-religious dialogue and ecumenical cooperation to foster harmony between people of all backgrounds, beliefs and faiths is of great significance to present day reality, and his belief in the efforts of bringing just and lasting peace to the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, has made His Holiness Pope Francis a symbol of unity and promoter of peace,” the resolution stated.

Four other similar resolutions were authored by Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, leader of the independent bloc; Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Diosdado Arroyo, Jose Atienza, Jonathan de la Cruz, Victor Ortega, Philip Pichay, Aleta Suarez, Toby Tiangco, Eric Olivarez and Winston Castelo.

The measures are to be consolidated into one House resolution, which is expected to be unanimously adopted by the plenary with all members as signatories.