A Pangasinan-based Catholic priest on Thursday, May 5, came to the defense of the Catholic Church for its decision to support the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in next week’s elections.
“Dahil ang pinapanindigan po namin sa simbahan ay hindi ang Robredo bagkus ang katotohanan, hindi ang Robredo bagkus ang tamang daan (Because the stand of the Church is not for Robredo rather for the truth, it’s not for Robredo rather for the right path),” said Fr. Jake Rubillos.
He accompanied Robredo’s eldest daughter Aika while conducting a house-to-house campaign in Lingayen together with fellow priests and some nuns.
“Hindi ang Robredo bagkus iyong tamang liwanag na siyang lilinaw ang sa buhay ng mga tao, lalo’t higit sa mga laylayan (It’s not Robredo rather the right light that will brighten up the lives of the people, especially those in the fringes of society),” he added.
The priest made the statement after some 1,400 Catholic bishops, priests, and deacons, who belong to the group “Clergy for the Moral Choice” endorsed the Leni-Kiko tandem.
The group explained the endorsement of the two candidates was because they were "servant leaders", who showed compassion towards different sectors and had no record of corruption in government.
Robredo and Pangilinan also secured another endorsement, this time from 200 clergy, religious and consecrated persons from the Archdiocese of Cebu. They gave a copy of their statement of support to Robredo’s daughter, Dr. Tricia, who was in Cebu on Thursday.
READ: Leni-Kiko tandem gains more backers from Cebu archdiocese
As part of their mandate from the Catholic Church, Rubillos said they cannot stay quiet, especially if people are being oppressed.
“Kailangan naming lumabas, kailangan naming tumayo para sa kanila. Bakit? Hindi dahil sa taong iyon bagkus iyon ang mandato namin sa Diyos (We have to come out, we need to stand up for them. Why? It’s not because of that person rather that’s our mandate from God),” he explained.
“Iyon ang mandato namin, na kaming mga pari ay gabayan namin ang mga tao sa pagpili ng tamang lider, na siyang lider na tatayo para sa mahirap, na siyang lider na may takot sa Diyos (That’s our mandate, as priests we have to guide our people in choosing the right leader, a leader who will stand up for the poor, a leader who fears God),” Rubillos said.
The Catholic Church believes that the lives of every Filipino will improve and there would be transparency in government, the priest added.
Aika, for her part, urged her mother’s supporters to come out and vote on May 9 and protect their votes.
“Tandaan natin na kapangyarihan natin ito, na walang sinumang makakakuha sa atin (Let’s remember that this is our power, that no one can get from us),” she said.