Deserving of the red hat

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma deserves to be appointed a cardinal by the Vatican because he has shown his true worth as a servant of God and the Catholic Church.

Palma,  president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, is a  good leader and a silent performer. He is not given to fanfare when he works and is satisfied to play second fiddle to His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal who is retired. I had the opportunity to meet Archbishop Palma through the kindness of Tatay Dodong Limchua of the Oasis of Love, owner of the Cebu Catholic Television Network.

Divine Marcial Flores and I interviewed Palma in our TV program Hello Cebu Maayong Buntag Pinoy. We observed that Archbishop Palma is indeed a very humble and articulate servant of God unlike some priests in Cebu.  He was very warm and accommodating to others and us.  I pray and hope that he would be appointed  one of the cardinals.

* * *

Councilor Bebot Abellanosa should not insist on holding on to the Cebu city government’s scholarship committee which poses  a conflict of interest on his part. He owns the Asian College of Technology and Cebu City Hall records show that of its 7,000 city-funded scholars, 5,000 are enrolled in Abellanosa’s school.

I know  Abellanosa will not use his position to take advantage of the city’s scholarship program  but the record speaks for itself.  It is best for him to give up his membership in the City Council’s scholarship committee.   Many can’t understand why he and the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan councilors will not do so when ethics and the good of the city call for it.

I believe that government officials especially  elected ones should be the first to demonstrate  basic ethical standards  as  leaders whom  people emulate. I pray that Abellanosa and the BO-PK will be guided to act in accordance with principles of good governance.  We should not allow a  tyranny of numbers to prevail over reason.   What the councilors demand of the mayor should also be demanded of them.

* * *

I am happy that the Aquino government has committed to undertake a P 352-billion flood control plan for Metro Manila to address the perennial  flooding there.

Two weeks ago, we saw how parts of Metro Manila and Luzon were flooded because of heavy rains. And  there wasn’t even a typhoon yet.

Leaders and citizens of Metro Manila should sit down and discuss mitigating measures to save it from natural calamity. The recent floods  and a repeat of this will no longer  make Metro Manila a livable metropolis.

Population density in  Metro Manila should be looked into because even if the government provided for relocation sites,  these were also flooded.

I am praying that  leaders in Cebu will learn  from the Metro Manila experience and immediately act on the flood risks in  low-lying areas of the city.

Leaders should unite in addressing the problem of urban  flooding and not let partisan politics be a hindrance.

Floods do not choose between members and supporters of Team Rama or BO-PK. They  strike everyone residing in  low lying areas of the city, riverbanks and beyond.