There was no deliberate intent to offend the Catholic Church when a priest was not included in the recent inter-faith prayer during President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), according to a Palace official.
(PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Radio Television Malacanang (RTVM) executive director Dennis Wilfred Pabalan explained that organizers actually wanted Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao to join the SONA prayer but the prelate is dealing with an ailment.
As a result, interfaith prayer shown during the President's SONA included only Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founding leader of the Kingdom of Jesus, an imam, and two representatives from Christian groups, according to Pabalan.
"Prayer (was) drafted by HRep (House of Representatives) and then was turned over to Bb Joyce (Bernal). Hindi na lang umabot sa shoot (It did not make it to the shoot). Preferred si Archbishop Valles pero may sakit (we preferred Archbishop Valles but he is sick)," Pabalan told the Manila Bulletin Wednesday.
"No intention to hurt the leaders of our religion," said Pabalan, a devout Catholic.
Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, was recently hospitalized after suffering a mild stroke. He is reportedly recuperating in his home archdiocese of Davao.
The RTVM head tried to dismiss speculations that the government had deliberately snubbed the Catholic leaders in the SONA prayer, insisting it was a matter of availability of the video materials in time for the event.
"Yun lang talaga ang available materials naibigay kay Direk Joyce for editing (Those were really the available materials given to Director Joyce for editing)," he said.
The interfaith prayer focused on seeking God's forgiveness for the sins of the world, including disregard for environment, and asking for healing amid the world's suffering. The video was played before the President delivered his fifth annual address before the joint session of Congress.