Have faith: Aquino likens presidency to ‘Impossible Dream’
President Benigno Aquino. AFP
President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday likened his presidency to one of his father’s favorite songs, “The Impossible Dream,” admitting that sometimes he didn’t know where to draw strength in order to stay the course.
Speaking before a crowd of evangelical missionaries, prayer warriors and Church leaders led by Bro. Eddie Villanueva, the President asked for prayers to carry out his reform agenda and propel the country to development in the so-called straight path.
The opening of the two-day “Mission Congress 2012” at Philippine International Convention Center Tuesday was also attended by four politicians running for senator in the 2013 elections under the ruling Liberal Party.
Reelectionist Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, former Senators Ramon Magsaysay and Jamby Madrigal, and former Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel were personally handpicked by the President to run in the LP ticket.
In impromptu remarks, the President said he treated every “calvary,” or problem he had to face as President, as a chance to allow God to do His work.
“We are giving God a chance to help us and…remind us that you’re just human and you have shortcomings. But if you have faith, even though you can’t do it alone, God will take care of you,” said Mr. Aquino.
“Let’s have faith that God will take care of the rest. If we are united on this (belief), we will surely reach our destination,” he said.
During the brief program, the President was prayed over by Villanueva, the leader of the Jesus Is Lord Christian group and chair of the Asia for Christ Movement, and other evangelical bishops belonging to, among others, the Philippines for Jesus Movement and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.
Villanueva told the audience that Mr. Aquino’s presence proved that “his commitment to God is absolutely unquestionable.”
He quoted several passages from the Bible that he said showed that Mr. Aquino’s reform agenda and anticorruption drive hewed closely to the righteousness spoken about by Jesus Christ and the Old Testament prophets.
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice,” said Villanueva.
He said that so long as Aquino continues in his straight path, the country would continue to “enjoy the favor” of God.
“It is no accident” that the country is experiencing “phenomenal success and growth,” Villanueva said.
