The Philippines having the most number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Southeast Asia is both "embarassing and worrisome," a Catholic prelate said.
(CBCP NEWS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, said what is more saddening is that the government is not showing a convincing way of addressing the health and economic issue.
"What is being pushed instead in Congress and Senate is death penalty," he said in his homily during a Mass at the San Felipe Neri Parish in Mandaluyong City Sunday.
Pabillo said many suffer, are sick, have no job, and hungry not just because people are hardheaded, but because "there is something wrong in the governance."
"What is our attitude amid all these? Many are silent. Just let them be in government. What is important is we survive," he said.
"Are we going to remain silent?...Why do we avoid speaking and acting? Are we afraid of being told by trolls? Afraid of being accused as rebels?" added Pabillo.
"I hope we will be concern because we love our country. In times like this that our love and concern for the country should come out," he said.
The prelate stressed that love of country is also love, adding that where there is love country, God is there.
"Let us not be unmindful of what has been happening. Let us not allow senators and congressmen to craft laws that are immoral and that will kill," Pabillo said.
"Let us tell them to answer the plea of the people who are seeking jobs, food, medicine. That is what they should focus on," he added.