Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday expressed confidence that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle would be an asset to the Vatican’s so-called “central bank” and steer the office away from corrupt practices and financial malfeasance.
(Joseph Vidal / Senate PRIB / FILE PHOTO)
Hontiveros made the statement following the Cardinal’s appointment as one of the two new members of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA).
“Walang kaduda-duda ang kanyang integridad, katapatan at busilak na kalooban, (We have no doubt about his integrity, faithfulness and good heart),” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“Ito rin marahil ang nakita ng Mahal na Santo Papa Francisco upang pagkatiwalaan siya bilang isa sa mga tagapangangasiwa sa financial assets ng Vatican, na una nang naharap sa eskandalo, (I believe this is the reason why Pope Francis trusted him to take care of the financial assets of Vatican, which has since been plagued by scandals),” she pointed out.
“Lubos ang tiwala ko na anumang katiwalian ay kanyang babantayan at aaksyunan (I firmly believe that he will look into and take action on any issues involving corruption),” the senator further said.
APSA, the entity equivalent to the Vatican’s treasury, also oversees real estate holdings and other sovereign assets. It also administers the payroll and operating expenses for the Vatican City.
Last year, Pope Francis pursued reforms in the Vatican which has been plagued by financial scandals and intrigue.
The Cardinal, who had been a vocal critic of the Duterte administration, moved from Manila to Vatican after being appointed as head of the Propaganda Fide in February 2020.
In May 2020, Pope Francis elevated him to the order of “cardinal bishops,” the highest rank within the College of Cardinals and eventually named a member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Tagle is now serving his second and last term as president of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of Catholic charities around the world.