CEBU, Philippines - Barely four months before the May 9 elections, Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal urged political aspirants, if elected, to uphold honesty in public service.
Vidal, on a wheelchair, made a quick visit to the pavilion accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo, the secretary general of the 51st Internatio-nal Eucharistic Congress.
In an interview with local and national media, Vidal said politicians must work for a clean, honest and service-oriented government.
“Be honest,” he said when sought for his message to political candidates.
He also said politicians must not promise what they cannot fulfill for the country and that they must be truthful in their campaigns.
“Respect all what people believe and what they trust, especially that they will present our culture,” he said.
Vidal disclosed that some of the local politicians have visited him at his home in Banilad, Cebu City. He, however, did not mention their names.
For the national aspirants, the Cardinal said pre-sidentiables Rodrigo Duterte and Jejomar Binay went to his house recently. Unfortunately, he was not around that time because he was in Manila.
He said he has no idea yet who are “qualified” political aspirants.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle also made an appeal to politicians to value the trust of the Filipinos and not stain it with things that are against the will of God.
“Trust is a gift from God. Show it in your service,” he said.
In his catechesis Thursday, Tagle hit how politicians have become part of the throw-away culture, as he pointed out the widespread bribery and corruption in government and even in businesses. He said these practices are unacceptable to the Christian life.
“I mentioned the politicians in terms of the culture of throwing away. I was really pointing out—being in politics means to have earned the trust of people. You were elected because people have trust in you. Don’t throw away the trust of people. Return it as a gift,” he said.
During his visit in the Philippines last year, Pope Francis called for honesty and integrity among political leaders and urged Filipinos to reject corruption.
Pope Francis recognized that the country is facing a challenge of building a society that is ready to confront new and complex political and ethical questions. He cited difficulties in a democratic nation like the Philippines, including the need to preserve and defend basic values, such as respect for human dignity, the rights of conscience and religious freedom, and the right to life.
Philippines is Asia’s largest Catholic nation whose progress has been hampered by rampant corruption. (FREEMAN)