Palma prays for speedy end to suspension issue

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said he is praying for the speedy and peaceful resolution of the issue involving suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia because the Cebuanos are suffering.

"While we hope that the authorities --proper authorities will really decide soon we also pray as always for justice and fair judgment," Palma said.

He also pointed out how significant the resolution of the case will be especially with the upcoming feast of Señor Santo Niño.

"Para sa akin kasi lalo na sa celebration of the feast of Santo Niño it doesn't appear well to the province that people are coming to rejoice and yet many of the Cebuanos because of this situation really feel sad," Palma said.

He hopes for a peaceful as well as just resolution of the case.

Palma appealed to Cebuanos for prayers saying it is the will of God that can grant a fair and just decision.

"We should always implore the guidance of the Lord so that what would happen would be just and fair decision reflective of God's will for the benefit of the people," Palma added.

For the third time, Palma visited Garcia at the Capitol yesterday as he marked his second anniversary as the head of the church in Cebu.

Palma told reporters that he just thanked Garcia for what she has contributed to the church and for being one of the people who are instrumental in making his stay in Cebu meaningful.

He also thanked Garcia for the contribution of the Province of Cebu to the national thanksgiving day of San Pedro Calungsod last November 30.

"I was just telling her dako kaayo ang iyang natabang sa simbahan," Palma told reporters after his meeting with Garcia.

Since Garcia was suspended last December 19, Palma first visited her in the evening of December 21 and had an hour-long, closed-door meeting with the suspended governor and members of her family.

Palma earlier made a public call for calm and peace on the day the suspension order was served, his visit was earlier viewed as a much-needed intervention to break the impasse in the Capitol where Garcia has holed out since her suspension.

Last New Year's eve, Palma again visited Garcia and stayed for one hour before going on to his 9 p.m. New Year's Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral.   (FREEMAN)