President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr and Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday, July 1, attended a Thanksgiving Mass presided over by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.
The Mass was held at the National Shrine of St. Michael the Archangels inside the Malacañang compound in Manila.
Retired Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo concelebrated the Mass, which was held a day after Marcos' inauguration.
CBCP News posted photos from the Mass on Facebook Friday that was shared by Radio Veritas.
In his homily, Advincula prayed that the country's leaders will serve the common good.
"You have been given the opportunity to seek the good not only of some individuals or particular groups but of the Philippine society as a whole,” he said.
"May you be leaders who give life to our people, especially the needy and disadvantaged. Guided by truth, urged by charity, and passionate for justice and peace, may you spend yourselves in the service of common good,” he added.
Meanwhile, the social action arm of the Catholic Church called on the newly sworn-in President to address the pressing problems affecting Filipinos today such as poverty in the countryside.
Caritas Philippines national director Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo also urged the new administration to address the rising prices of basic goods and the oil price hike.
As Marcos will head the Agriculture department, “he also needs to address the plight of farmers versus imported agricultural products,” Bagaforo said in a CBCP News post.
He said this was “worsened” in particular by the Rice Tariffication Law that paved the way for more imported rice to reach the Philippines.
Caritas reiterated it will continue to foster “principled cooperation” with the government.