Fortuna, a councilor of Mandaue City and also the secretary-general of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, said the comments of Luistro, president of the De La Salle University System, that the military, particularly the junior officers, is restive and aching to intervene, is highly uncalled for. "The insinuation and insidious remarks of the La Sallite brother tells of a highly irresponsible citizen that belies his mission to foster peace and forgiveness," Fortuna said.
He added that being a supposed man of God, Luistro’s comments, made before students of the Immaculate Conception College in Ozamis City Friday, spoke of his objective to foster conflict and discord by inciting the military to commit sedition. "It also shows how weak his, and their cause are because they could not stand without the military. May God forgive his soul," said Fortuna.
Earlier, local officials nationwide had appealed to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to lead the people in a countrywide spiritual crusade to attain peace, unity and reconciliation. League of Municipalities of the Philippines national president and Binalonan (Pangasinan) Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., said the bishops, having the moral ascendancy, have the right to campaign for a spiritual restoration so that the wounds caused by the political crisis may be healed.
Guico said, in view of the looming energy crisis, this is now the time for all Filipinos to close ranks instead of joining street protests that would only destabilize the government’s machinery.
Moreover, Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone said the impeachment case, already settled through the democratic and constitutional process, proved that the Filipinos can argue and debate peacefully and civilly.