Church official praises Aquino’s 2nd Sona

AN official of the Cebu archdiocese said President Benigno Aquino III’s second State of the Nation Adress was “very good.”

Aquino’s central message of fighting graft and corruption should inspire Filipinos, said Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

“But he should not stop there. He should also provide clear and consistent direction on how to achieve his goals,” Binghay told Cebu Daily News.

Aquino did not talk about the Reproductive Health bill that the Church opposes but thanked Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales of Manila and Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal for promoting dialogue between the Church and State.

Binghay said Aquino’s determination to dialogue with the clergy would also help clear the air between clergymen and government leaders.

“The Church and the State should sit down together in such a way that they can save morality, not just the economy and politics,” he said.

In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes said the President’s use of misused sirens as a metaphor for abusive leadership showed his seriousness in battling arrogance among public officials.

Rep. Luigi Quisumbing of Cebu’s 6th district said he shares Aquino’s vision of accountable leaders who care. /Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya and Day desk Coordinator Dale G. Israel