Archbishop: 3 religious men running shows bad incumbent
MANILA - Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz on Sunday said the intention of three religious leaders to run for president in 2010 is a sign the current administration "must be really bad," while at the same time saying the three men will only fail on their quest for the presidency.
"These are very interesting times because since I was born, this is the first occasion when no less than three "religious" men are aspiring for the presidency," Cruz said in a report on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Web site.
The three men he is referring to are priest and Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde and Jesus Is Lord (JIL) founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva.
"To my mind the outbreak of these 'religious' wannabe-presidents is an argument against the present ruling administration, meaning to say the present ruling administration must be really so bad that it made these three 'religious' men seek the presidency," Cruz was quoted as saying.
"Nasusulok na sila sa pamahalaan na ito pagkat sukdulan na sa korupsyon, sukdulan na sa pagsisinungaling, at sukdulan na sa pagwawaldas ng pera," Cruz told ABS-CBN News.
"No matter who succeeds, definitely it will be much better, we will have a much better government than now," he added.
Cruz said the three men could be motivated by their faith to change the current system, and that they could use their influence as religious leaders to garner support.
"Una dahil sa alagad sila ng Diyos, gusto nilang baguhin 'yong bulok na sistema... pangalawa, kung sila'y tatakbo, marahil gagamitin nila ang kanilang pananampalataya [para] pasunurin ang mga kasama nila," he told ABS-CBN News.
Running 'not a good thing'
Despite their good intentions, however, Cruz believes that it is not a good thing for the three men to be a political and a religious leader at the same time.
"Hindi nila kayang pagsabayin ang pagiging religious leader sa pagiging political leader," Cruz said.
He also said the three don't have a chance of winning in 2010, in case they pursue their plans to run.
This was also the view of political scientist Prof. Joel Rocamora of the Institute for Popular Democracy.
Rocamora said the three men, instead of running, should endorse a candidate.
"Kailangan pumili sila doon sa mga kakandidato na may chance. 'Wag kakandidato na parang, kumbaga, symbolic lang ang pagtakbo," Rocamora said.
Despite this, two of the three potential presidential candidates are still seemingly ready to run.
"Everybody is a potential candidate as of now, until midnight of... November 30, so kung potential candidate 'yan, I'm still a potential candidate," Velarde said.
"Let the people decide," Villanueva said.
Panlilio, meanwhile, cannot be reached by ABS-CBN News as of posting. He had already said that he will pursue the presidency in the 2010 elections.
Meanwhile, in response to this issue, the Palace believes that it is a personal decision for Villanueva, Panlilio, and Velarde to run in 2010, and that people should not give their decisions any hint of malice.
"Seeking an elective post is a personal decision to satisfy a personal ambition or gratification for whatever personal purpose. Let us not be biased and let us not use politics as a reason for conversion of vocations," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said in a statement.
'Presidential contenders' give opinions
Sen. Manuel Villar, a declared presidential aspirant for the 2010 elections, meanwhile welcomed Velarde’s possible entry into the 2010 derby.
"Welcome naman ‘yan. Kaibigan natin si Bro. Mike. Lahat naman ng gustong maglagay ng pangalan nila sa pagkapangulo ay welcome," said Villar while attending the 25th anniversary of the El Shaddai at the Quirino grandstand Saturday night.
Sen. Richard Gordon meanwhile seemed to advise against the leader of the Catholic charismatic organization from running.
"I would like to see him sa kanyang constituency. He can influence events, can advise presidents. 'Pag kasi nandoon na siya (presidency), baka mabawasan ang kanyang liwanag, kislap na lang," said Gordon who also attended the anniversary celebrations.
Former president Joseph Estrada for his part said that it would altogether be a different matter if he would give support to the religious leader’s candidacy.
"Well, as far as I'm concerned, I'm only inclined to support the presidential candidate of the opposition," said the former president. With a report from Joanna Tacason, ABS-CBN North Central Luzon, and Israel Malasa, ABS-CBN News
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Hindi kayo santo Archbishop. Nagbintang ka na naman ng mali.
Itong si Archbishop ang bilis namang magturo agad. Eh mga tao din naman ang mga tumatakbong ito. Hindi sila perpekto. Hindi sila si Kristo. Katulad ng ordinaryong tao, sinasapian din ng demonyo ang mga ito. At katulad ng ordinaryong tao, may kanya kanyang personal na interes ang mga ito. Yun ang dahilan kaya sila tumatakbo.
Nakakinis lang na malaki na ang pinagbago ng mga pari at ibang religious leaders ngayon. Hindi na sila nakukuntento sa natatanggap nila tuwing linggo. Ngayon gusto na rin nilang pakialaman ang gobyerno. There's a clear line between the government and the church. Hindi tina-tax ng gobyerno ang mga natatanggap ng mga religous leaders na ito sa mga kampon nila kahil milyon-milyon ito, eh huwag naman makikialam ang simbahan sa mga activities ng gobyerno. Trabaho ng gobyerno ang mga problema ng bayan. Faith naman ng sangkatauhan ang sa simbahan.
Archbishop Cruz at sa mga kumakandidato na nasa religious sector. Hindi kayo santo. Araw-araw nagkakasala din kayo. Kasalanan yang mga pinag-sasasabi mo. Humingi ka na rin ng tawad sa panginoon kung hindi, pag na-dedbol ka, diretso ka sa impiyerno. Sabi nga, mas marami daw makikitang pari o pastor sa impiyerno. Mga self-righteous kasi ang mga ito. Akala nila hindi sila nagkakasala.
Cruz for President
Mr Cruz, why don't you run also for President, so we can determine if a lot of people believe in your advocacy. You dont have to win the election. We know you only want attention in this government because your request was turndown manytimes. CRUZ FOR PRESIDENT IN 2010.
just asking...
I have to admit that Archbishop Cruz's being a devout critic of the Arroyo Administration is none of my business. And, his intention's maybe good considering that there are instances of corruption in the government. Yet, I have to asked one nagging question to the good Archbishop just to clear any doubt. Considering your fight against greed, corruption, and misgovernance; have you openly criticized Mr. Marcos during the Martial Law like what Ninoy Aquino did? Or, were you one of those good men who chose to do nothing? What I know is that good men are consistent in their beliefs.
duh
alam ng lahat yan na separated ang state at church. but evil triumphs because good men do nothing!
Arsobispo Cruz
Sasabihin ko isa akong relihiyoso at naniniwala ako sa itaas,sana naman sa mga kaparian natin huwag ng maki-alam o magkumento sa mga nasa gobyerno. Oo tama kayo na kailangang ninyong maki-alam dahil dapat malaman ng sambayanang tao ang mga mali sa pamamalakad ng nasa malakanyang, pero hindi naman tama na puna ng puna't nalilimutan na na dapat ninyo ring ayusin punahin ang mga ibang kaparian ninyo na gumagawa rin ng kamalian like yong mga nagmomolestiya, bakit sa ganoon wala kayong nasasabi porke ba kaparehas ninyong pare ok ng gawin ang mga bagay na yon at hindi mo ba alam na marami na ring nababalita tungkol doon. Sana yon na lang ang pag-aksayahan ninyo ng panahon. Kung anu ano ang kinokomet ninyo sa gobyerno pero ang pag comment ninyo sa kaparian na nalilihis ng landas ayaw ninyong paki-alaman. Saka there is always a separation of state and church di ba..
Arsobispo Cruz
Sasabihin ko isa akong relihiyoso at naniniwala ako sa itaas,sana naman sa mga kaparian natin huwag ng maki-alam o magkumento sa mga nasa gobyerno. Oo tama kayo na kailangang ninyong maki-alam dahil dapat malaman ng sambayanang tao ang mga mali sa pamamalakad ng nasa malakanyang, pero hindi naman tama na puna ng puna't nalilimutan na na dapat ninyo ring ayusin punahin ang mga ibang kaparian ninyo na gumagawa rin ng kamalian like yong mga nagmomolestiya, bakit sa ganoon wala kayong nasasabi porke ba kaparehas ninyong pare ok ng gawin ang mga bagay na yon at hindi mo ba alam na marami na ring nababalita tungkol doon. Sana yon na lang ang pag-aksayahan ninyo ng panahon. Kung anu ano ang kinokomet ninyo sa gobyerno pero ang pag comment ninyo sa kaparian na nalilihis ng landas ayaw ninyong paki-alaman. Saka there is always a separation of state and church di ba..
Church and State
Media should refrain from interviewing Priests. As a catholic i dont want to see priests being interviewed on matters of the state. Their duty is teach us to pray and believe in God. They became priest to bring peace to people. Archbishop Cruz should be reminded of that.
addendum...
Notice that the quotation I used is different from ABS CBN's website top story. The reason is that I got it from the Inquirer's headline story which appeared much earlier. At any rate, the ABS CBN's quotation is even worse because of the word "DEFINITELY" which makes Cruz's assertion that it will happen SURELY once one of the religious presidential wannabes wins. Ok na sana yong sinabi ni Cruz na walang chance manalo kahit sinong religious presidential aspirant pero yong iba nyang sinabi ang nagpagulo that's why I used the word AMBIVALENCE or FLIPLOPING.
Yet, what is disgusting is an assertion/prediction/foretelling (divination)of a future event which is specifically prohibited by the Church. Kundi iresponsable ito eh, aywan ko kung ano ang maging viewpoint ng iba. Sorry po but I speak my mind not only as a filipino but as a Roman Catholic.
let us analyze before we believe...
Let us analyze first before we believe Cruz's statements.
While the Catholic Church has maintained its policy of not supporting any political candidate in any election, Cruz statements indirectly condones religious leaders to run for political office. Coming from an Archbishop, I would surmise that this a new church policy?!
Don't tell me Mr. Cruz, that the Arroyo administration is worse than the Martial Law regime of Mr. Marcos??? Yet, no servant of God ran against the tyrant in any election during those times! In my perspective, there is only one clear conclusion that can be gleaned from such irresponsible statement and that is: SADLY, THE CATHOLIC HIERARCHY HAS LOST CONTROL OVER IT'S FLOCK!!! No wonder a lot of new religious sects are coming out these days.
KAMAKAILAN LANG TINUTULIGSA NI CRUZ SI PAYUMO DAHIL DI RAW QUALIFIED. NGAYON, NAGBAGO NA ANG IHIP NG HANGIN AT SINABING, “no matter who succeeds,” it will be a decided improvement on Ms Arroyo." WHAT'S THE REASON FOR THE AMBIVALENCE OR FLIP-FLOPPING, MR. CRUZ? HAY NAKU, MARAMI NA TALAGANG HILO SA PILIPINAS. PATI BA NAMAN ARSOBISPO IRRESPONSABLE NA RIN MAGSALITA. PAANO TAYO KAAWAAN NG PANGINOON NYAN?
It is said that divination (predicting the future) is a work of the devil, for it is only God who knows the future. Yet, by saying that, "no matter who succeeds,” it will be a decided improvement on Ms Arroyo.", Cruz is EFFECTIVELY FORETELLING FUTURE EVENTS. Being an Archbishop who exercises moral ascendancy over the Catholics, Cruz should be more circumspect and think AT LEAST twice before making any statement to the press!!! I hope Cardinal Rosales or the Pope will discipline its ranks.